Clause 44 - Code of practice: authority
Railways and Transport Safety Bill
3:30 pm
Mrs Anne McIntosh (Vale of York, Conservative)
The Under-Secretary may be able to help us. What is the situation regarding the Strategic Rail Authority? Does a code of practice exist? [Interruption] During the extensive consultation period—the results of which I have not had the opportunity to analyse in great detail—were extensive comments made on the code of practice? Is having a code of practice for the authority a new idea, or is it standard practice?
Were the majority of comments favourable to the idea of a code of practice, or were concerns expressed? I note that there are only two codes of practice, and we will consider the second one shortly. What opportunities has the Secretary of State had to review how extensive any present code of practice would be? Is it envisaged that there will be any limits to the Secretary of State's power in developing such a code? Who will monitor it? Will it be the Secretary of State?