Clause 11 - Crown application
Railways and Transport Safety Bill
10:45 am
Mr John Spellar (Minister of State (Transport), Department for Transport; Warley, Labour)
My understanding is that it is a standard clause, to which the Queen's consent has to be obtained. Indeed, it has been obtained. It therefore means that wherever in the country an accident happens, the accident investigation branch will be able to work without fear or hindrance. Obviously, some railway lines run through royal lands, but inspectors would still need to investigate them. My suspicion that the royal train is not Crown property has been confirmed. It is provided by the rail industry, but it is owned by Network Rail.
The provisions will have been covered by existing clauses, but for the sake of clarity we have included the standard clause to enable the RAIB to go about its business.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 11 ordered to stand part of the Bill.