Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when (a) he and (b) the Minister of State for Rail last met with ASLEF to discuss industrial action.

Negotiations must take place between the employer, which the Rail Delivery Group has done on behalf of the train operators, and the trade union over its dispute. The Government has no role in these negotiations and discussions. We remain committed to supporting the parties in the resolution of industrial action and the Secretary of State and I have previously met with all the rail unions to help facilitate discussions with the rail industry. ASLEF is the only trade union in a national level dispute, and we continue to urge them to put the industry’s offer to its members so that their dispute can be settled. On 13 May I met with ASLEF. I am also due to meet the RMT on 20 May.