Rail Dispute: Michael Ford QC Debate
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Lord McFall of Alcluith
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Rail Dispute: Michael Ford QC
Lord McFall of Alcluith Excerpts(2 years, 5 months ago)
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Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Con)
The Government, and therefore the taxpayer.
The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)
The noble Baroness, Lady Brinton, will now contribute remotely.
Baroness Brinton (LD) [V]
My Lords, over 30,000 passenger-facing rail staff have completed the disability training required by the Office of Rail and Road. As a wheelchair user, travelling by rail is noticeably safer as a result of the excellent assistance train staff provide. The Government want to allow the use of agency workers in place of striking station and train staff. If agency staff have not completed the regulator’s required safety assistance training, would that breach the public sector equality duty? Would disabled passengers be safe in such circumstances?