Railways Bill

Lord Katz Excerpts

Committee stage
Tuesday 8th September 2026 Grand Committee

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I shall continue with what I was saying. It has not been possible, in any previous iteration of the railways since the early 1990s, to have both under the same control. There was such an arrangement with South Western Railway in the 2010s, and it collapsed, because the commercial arrangements were incompatible. We are making steady progress in improving the railway in some pretty difficult circumstances, in companies that had not been particularly well managed, as a consequence of being able to manage them together. To my mind, that is a very good reason for public ownership.

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Katz) (Lab)]

My Lords, before we proceed, under the chairmanship now of the noble Lord, Lord Duncan, it probably behoves me to say that this is the first group in the first of seven days in Committee. There were six minutes’ worth of summation, and I point out to all Members of the Committee that the Companion is very clear about brevity being the quality we are looking for when Members who have lead amendments are summing up, whether they are pressing or whatever else. I urge Committee Members to bear that in mind for future groups.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Duncan of Springbank) (Con)]

It sounds like I have missed the best bit.

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

You really did not.

[Lord Moylan (Con)]

The noble Lord should stop waving his hands around like that.

Railways Bill

Lord Katz Excerpts

Committee stage
Wednesday 16th September 2026 Grand Committee

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Katz) (Lab)]

My Lords, before we hear from the Minister in reply to this group, I would just like to be a bit pernickety and urge Back-Bench speakers, if they can, to speak before Front-Bench winders. It is not in the Companion, but I think that it is good custom and practice and aids the flow and understanding of debate. Without further ado, I will let the Minister respond.

[Lord Berkeley (Lab)]

What have I done wrong? I am terribly sorry.

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

My noble friend has done nothing wrong, as per the Companion, but usually in Committee Back-Benchers speak before the Front-Bench winders. It helps if noble Lords understand when people speak. Before we get into a long debate, it is not in the Companion, and we have freedom to speak and to intervene—it just helps the flow of debate, when we have a long Committee debate ahead of us.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

So, technically, because I am the only Green, I am a Front-Bench winder as well. I just want to establish the rules.

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

Green Members often speak as part of the Back Benches, but the noble Baroness is of course welcome to speak whenever.

[Lord Berkeley (Lab)]

I apologise to the Committee and in particular to the noble Baroness, Lady Pidgeon.

--- Later in debate ---

Amendment 90 withdrawn.

[Lord Katz (Lab)]

My Lords, given the lateness of the hour and the nature of the topic that we will be discussing, I suggest that we adjourn the Grand Committee.

Committee adjourned at 8.50 pm.