Lord Faulkner of Worcester
Main Page: Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Labour - Life peer)
Earl Attlee
My Lords, the Government do not have the power to veto the award of bonuses, but we hope to make it clear to Network Rail’s board that excessive payments are not acceptable in the wider economic climate.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester
My Lords, following the exchanges yesterday on the question that I asked the noble Earl regarding railway electrification during the exchanges on my noble friend Lord Berkeley’s Question, a report has appeared in today’s Sun newspaper that says:
“Plans for faster electric trains across Britain will be scrapped because they cost too much, the Government said yesterday”.
As the noble Earl, for this purpose, is the Government, does he have anything to add to that statement and will he confirm whether it is true?
Earl Attlee
My Lords, I never thought that I would get on to page two of the Sun so fast. No, the Government have made it clear in the coalition agreement that we support further electrification of the rail network, which helps to reduce carbon emissions and cut running costs. Clearly, though, we are in the early stages of the new Government and Ministers are considering the full range of transport policy to ascertain what is possible.