Clause 1 - General transport duty
Transport (Wales) Bill
10:30 am
Lembit Öpik (Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Affairs; Montgomeryshire, Liberal Democrat)
I find the amendment useful as a probing amendment, although for slightly different reasons to those expressed by the hon. Member for Leominster. It is evident that the break-up of the UK rail network has caused untold misery and suffering for many, including myself. It is also true that the more integrated the rail network is, the more likely it is to be effective. To that extent, it seems necessary to the Liberal Democrats that we should ensure consideration of the operation of transport facilities and rail services to, from and within Wales.
My question for the Minister is about the interrelation between the Welsh Assembly and other bodies responsible for providing those services. Does he have in mind a specific and particular mechanism to ensure that the interrelation runs smoothly, or does he intend the Assembly to negotiate the interrelations for itself?