Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Kramer on 15 September (HL1794 and HL1795), with reference to the Framework Agreement between Network Rail and the Department of Transport, whether (1) the Department for Transport, (2) the Office of Rail Regulation or (3) both organisations are now responsible for approving and monitoring progress against Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plan, Delivery Plan, Business Plan and Annual Plan.

The Framework Agreement sets out how the Department for Transport and Network Rail interact in terms of corporate governance and financial management. As set out in that document, the Department will be engaged by Network Rail during the production of several corporate planning documents, as is appropriate for a sponsoring Department, in order to agree the strategic approach:

- Strategic Business Plans.

- The Delivery Plan.

- The Business Plan.

- Annual Plans.

The Office of Rail Regulation regulates Network Rail’s stewardship of the national network in accordance with the Railways Act 1993. It continues to monitor and oversee Network Rail’s delivery of outputs, efficiency and financial performance against what it has challenged Network Rail to deliver in its Determinations that are developed through the Periodic Review process. The Determinations reflect Network Rail’s Strategic Business Plans amongst other things. The Department will not duplicate the Office of Rail Regulation’s work, but will oversee Network Rail’s performance on behalf of the UK taxpayer at a more strategic level, based on the Office of Rail Regulation’s analysis of performance and discussions with Network Rail’s Board.

The Strategic Business Plans, Delivery Plan and Business Plan for Control Period 5 were finalised prior to the company’s reclassification to the public sector. Network Rail will continue to update its Plans for Control Period 5 on an annual basis.