Part of Railways Bill – in the House of Commons at 5:45 pm on 10 June 2026.
“For section 12 of the Railways Act 1993 substitute—
“12 Modification of licence conditions by the Office of Rail and Road
(1) The Office of Rail and Road may modify the conditions of a licence under section 8.
(2) Before making modifications under this section, the Office of Rail and Road must give notice—
(a) stating that it proposes to make the modifications,
(b) setting out the proposed modifications and their effect,
(c) stating the reasons why it proposes to make the modifications, and
(d) specifying the period (not being less than 28 days beginning with the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed modifications may be made,
and must, before making the modifications, consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.
(3) A notice under subsection (2) must be given—
(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Office of Rail and Road considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the notice to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications; and
(b) by serving a copy of the notice on—
(i) each licence holder whose licence conditions are affected,
(ii) the Secretary of State,
(iii) the Scottish Ministers,
(iv) the Welsh Ministers, and
(v) the Passengers’ Council.
(4) Subsections (5) to (7) apply where, having complied with subsections (2) and (3), the Office of Rail and Road decides to proceed with the making of modifications of the conditions of any licence under this section.
(5) The Office of Rail and Road must—
(a) publish the decision and the modifications in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing them to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the modifications,
(b) state the effect of the modifications,
(c) state how it has taken account of any representations duly made, and
(d) state the reason for any differences between the modifications and those set out in the notice by virtue of subsection (2)(b).
(6) Each modification has effect from the date specified by the Office of Rail and Road in relation to that modification.
(7) The date specified by virtue of subsection (6) may not be less than 56 days beginning with the date of publication of the decision to proceed with the making of modifications under this section.””—(Keir Mather.)
This new clause would allow the Office of Rail and Road to modify rail operator licences, including as required to promote consistent adoption of standards and services across the industry.
Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.
Proceedings interrupted (Programme Order,
The Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that time (
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
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The deputy speaker's formal title is Chairman of Ways and Means, one of whose functions is to preside over the House of Commons when it is in a Committee of the Whole House.
The deputy speaker also presides over the Budget.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
