Southern Rail

Baroness Prosser Excerpts

Tuesday 10th January 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

As the noble Lord is acutely aware, he is quite right that train operators are paid a fee, with the remaining revenue coming to the Government. But the basis of the dispute, which is what we are focused on today, is very much a matter for the train operator. I note that the noble Lord refrained from commenting on the two pertinent issues that I outlined. As far as the issue of the company itself is concerned, as I said, the Government have stood behind it in ensuring that it can provide compensation when necessary. We have called upon and implored both the franchisee and the unions to come together to resolve this dispute.

[Baroness Prosser (Lab)]

My Lords, as a commuter on Southern Rail—

[Lord Bradshaw (LD)]

My Lords—