Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Law Excerpts

Thursday 12th January 2017 Commons Chamber

[Peter Grant (Glenrothes) (SNP)]

1. What discussions he has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on further devolution of Network Rail.

[Chris Law (Dundee West) (SNP)]

5. What discussions he has had with Ministers of the Scottish Government on further devolution of Network Rail.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Paul Maynard)]

I met the Minister for Transport and the Islands in the Scottish Government, Humza Yousaf, in October last year. I welcome working together to improve services for rail passengers within the current devolution settlement.

[Paul Maynard]

The point we have consistently made is that there was no recommendation by the Smith commission to devolve the whole of Network Rail to Scotland. The Scottish Government can specify, fund and procure for ScotRail and the Caledonian Sleeper. They can also specify and fund all major projects, and we are devolving the British Transport police. That strikes me as a hefty menu for the Scottish Government to be engaged with.

[Chris Law]

I thank the Minister for his reply. The Reform Scotland think-tank published a report in November calling for Network Rail to be devolved—perhaps the Secretary of State has read it. The Minister will also be aware that an ever-growing list of people advocate further rail devolution, so will he do the right thing and commit to a date for opening discussions with the Scottish Government on this matter?