Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he last met with the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen to discuss industrial action on railways.

The Secretary of State and I have facilitated discussions with rail trade unions to help resolve national disputes, but it is the role of the rail industry, as the employer, to discuss industrial action on the railways.

These discussions led to a fair and reasonable offer which has resolved the dispute with RMT, TSSA and Unite after it was overwhelmingly accepted by union members, meaning ASLEF is the only rail union still refusing to put the offer to a vote.

We continue to urge ASLEF to put industry’s fair offer to its members in the train operating companies which is the only way to end this dispute.