Previously called Standing Committees, Public Bill Commitees study proposed legislation (Bills) in detail, debating each clause and reporting any amendments to the Commons for further debate.
There are at least 16 MPs on a Committee, and the proportion of parties reflects the House of Commons, so the government always has a majority.
[Sir Alec Shelbrooke in the Chair]
Jeremy Westlake, John Larkinson and Alex Hynes gave evidence.
Keith Williams and Richard Brown gave evidence.
Alex Robertson, Emma Vogelmann, Ben Plowden and Michael Roberts gave evidence.
[Paula Barker in the Chair]
Steve Montgomery, Maggie Simpson and John Thomas gave evidence.
John Davies and Catriona Meehan gave evidence.
Bill Reeve and Peter McDonald gave evidence.
Malcolm Brown, Darren Caplan and Rob Morris gave evidence.
Jason Prince, Andy Burnham and Tracy Brabin gave evidence.
Richard Bowker gave evidence.
Keir Mather and Lilian Greenwood gave evidence.
[Wera Hobhouse in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 257, in clause 1, page 1, line 8, at end insert— “(2) A body corporate may be designated under this section only if— (a) it is limited by shares, and (b)...
I beg to move amendment 164, in clause 2, page 2, line 3, at end insert— “(5A) This section is not to be read as preventing the exercise of functions by Great British Railways on...
I beg to move amendment 2, in clause 3, page 2, line 15, after “sale” insert— “by promoting a thriving competitive market in the retail ticketing market”. This...
[Sir Alec Shelbrooke in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 241, in clause 3, page 2, line 17, after “including,” insert “acting in a fair and non-discriminatory manner”. This amendment would require equal...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 232, in clause 5, page 3, line 37, at end insert— “(2A) Where no arrangement between Great British Railways and a relevant local authority exists, the relevant...
I beg to move amendment 7, in clause 6, page 4, line 15, after “with” insert “Secretary of State and”. This amendment maintains the Secretary of State’s statutory...
[Sir Alec Shelbrooke in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 12, in clause 7, page 4, line 30, after “functions” insert— “where the Office for Rail and Road, in carrying out its functions under section 69A of...
I beg to move amendment 143, in clause 9, page 6, line 30, after “statutory functions” insert “, but only in respect of strategic or financial matters where such guidance is...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 109, in schedule 1, page 55, line 10, leave out from “may,” to “grant” and insert— “at the recommendation of the Office of the Rail and...
[Matt Western in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 233, in schedule 1, page 55, line 10, leave out “consultation” and insert “agreement”. This amendment limits the Secretary of State’s powers...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 119, in schedule 2, page 60, line 2, at end insert— “(1A) The date specified in section 1(d) must be at least 24 months before the start of the funding...
I beg to move amendment 22, in clause 13, page 7, line 22, leave out “as it thinks fit” and insert “as are reasonable”. This amendment would ensure Great British Railways...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 134, in clause 15, page 8, line 18, at end insert “for the next 30 years for”. This amendment would ensure that the rail strategy set out in Clause 15 must...
[Matt Western in the Chair]
Amendment proposed ( 27 January): 134, in clause 15, page 8, line 18, at end insert “for the next 30 years for”.—(Olly Glover.) This amendment would ensure that the rail...
I beg to move amendment 26, in clause 16, page 9, line 11, leave out “have regard to” and insert “seek to achieve”.
[Wera Hobhouse in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 262, in clause 17, page 9, line 24, at end insert— “(1A) Any proposals by the Secretary of State and Great British Rail about how they intend to meet the...
I beg to move amendment 34, in clause 18, page 10, line 12, leave out “They” and insert “Each person or organisation designated under section 18(1)”. This amendment...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 237, in clause 20, page 11, line 21, leave out paragraph (c). This amendment removes the exemption for ORR’s functions under schedule 2 from its competition duty.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 39, in clause 23, page 13, line 9, at end insert— “(3) The memorandum of understanding must be published at the same time as the Rail Strategy. (4) The...
I beg to move amendment 169, in clause 24, page 13, line 29, at end insert— “(da) contain provision about the use to be made of the power to give directions under section 7,”....
(Morning)
I beg to move amendment 226, in clause 25, page 14, line 9, at end insert— “(1A) When designating railway passenger services, the Secretary of State must— (a) take account...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 41, in clause 31, page 16, line 30, leave out from “so” to “, in” in line 31 and insert “by making a direct award of a contract to Great...
Amendment proposed: 44, in clause 32, page 17, line 35, leave out subsection (3).—(Jerome Mayhew.) This amendment requires pre-award publication of public service contracts.
I beg to move amendment 45, in clause 33, page 18, line 9, leave out subsections (1) and (2). This amendment removes the Secretary of State’s ability to give directions and set guidance as...
I beg to move amendment 46, in clause 34, page 18, line 20, after “are” insert “UK veterans,”. This amendment, alongside Amendments 47 to 50 would require GBR to continue...
[Wera Hobhouse in the Chair]
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 63, in clause 36, page 19, line 35, after “of” insert “all users, and potential users of the railways, including”. This amendment ensures that the...
Amendment proposed: 65, in clause 37, page 20, line 14, at end insert— “(3) When the Passengers’ Council makes representations under this section, either to the Secretary of...
I beg to move amendment 142, in clause 39, page 21, line 19, at end insert— “(1A) The Passengers’ Council must not investigate a matter unless the matter has been considered...
I beg to move amendment 66, in clause 40, page 22, line 11, leave out subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b) and insert “the Passengers’ Council may take such action (if any) as it thinks...
I beg to move amendment 67, in clause 42, page 23, line 7, leave out subsection (2).
I call Olly Glover to move amendment 138.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 71, in clause 46, page 24, line 26, after “for” insert “all users and potential users of the railways including, in particular,”. This amendment...
I beg to move amendment 74, in clause 47, page 25, line 23, leave out from “Council” to the end of line 32 and insert “take such action (if any) as it thinks appropriate for the...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendment made: 173, in clause 55, page 31, line 30, leave out “Passengers’ Council” and insert “Committee”.—(Keir Mather.) This amendment corrects a reference...
[Matt Western in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 79, in clause 59, page 33, line 19, at end insert “in addition to a subsequent right to appeal to the ORR”. This amendment would enable a subsequent right of...
I beg to move amendment 78, in clause 60, page 34, line 14, at end insert— “(4A) When preparing, revising or replacing the document or documents Great British Railways must consult...
I beg to move amendment 174, in clause 61, page 34, line 38, at end insert— “(4A) Agreement under subsection (4) may be general or specific, and the ways in which it may be given...
Amendment proposed: 81, in clause 63, page 35, line 34, leave out from “to” to the end of line 37 and insert— “be satisfied that it retains sufficient capacity across GBR...
I beg to move amendment 242, in clause 64, page 36, line 6, leave out subsection (1)(b). This amendment would remove the requirement for GBR to charge in relation to trains which are planned to...
[Wera Hobhouse in the Chair]
Amendment proposed (this day): 242, in clause 64, page 36, line 6, leave out subsection (1)(b).—(Rebecca Smith.) This amendment would remove the requirement for GBR to charge in relation to...
I beg to move amendment 85, in clause 65, page 37, line 15, leave out subsection (3)(b). This amendment would enable GBR to have to pay penalties or compensation.
Amendment proposed: 87, in clause 66, page 37, line 32, after “ORR,” insert “open access operators,”.—(Rebecca Smith.) This amendment would require GBR to consult...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendment proposed: 88, in clause 68, page 38, line 11, leave out subsection (1).—(Rebecca Smith.) This amendment removes the requirement that appeals may only be made under Judicial Review...
I beg to move amendment 175, in clause 69, page 39, line 25, leave out “17(1)” and insert “17”. This amendment and amendment 176 restrict the power of the Office of Rail...
Question put, That clause 71 stand part of the Bill.
I beg to move amendment 256, in clause 72, page 41, line 38, at end insert— “(3A) The regulations must not make provision for the Secretary of State to direct operational matters of...
I beg to move amendment 99, in clause 74, page 42, line 24, after “monitor” insert “and audit”. This amendment would require the ORR to monitor and audit GBR’s...
I beg to move amendment 271, in clause 75, page 43, line 23, at end insert— “(2A) In section 55 (orders for securing compliance), after subsection (7C) insert— ‘(7D) The...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
[Sir Alec Shelbrooke in the Chair]
I beg to move amendment 103, in clause 80, page 47, line 13, leave out subsection (1) and insert— “(1) Great British Railways must inform Scottish Ministers before making a decision...
Amendments made: 158, in clause 82, page 48, line 30, after “a” insert “London”. This amendment and amendments 159 and 160 provide for the duty to consult Transport for...
I beg to move amendment 161, in clause 83, page 49, leave out line 11 and insert— “(a) railways in the body’s area, or (b) railway services— (i) between places in the...
Amendments made: 184, in clause 84, page 49, line 30, after “function” insert “(within the meaning of the Railways Act 2026)”. This amendment defines GBR’s statutory...
I beg to move amendment 107, in clause 85, page 50, leave out line 3. This amendment would prevent the Secretary of State from changing the body that gives licences certificates so that it...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
“(1) Costs incurred by the operator of a network or station in relation to removing or storing a road vehicle that has been parked or left— (a) on land or other property comprised in...
“(1) The Secretary of State may, for any purpose connected with railways or the provision of railway services, make one or more schemes for the transfer of property, rights and...
“(1) The Scottish Ministers may, for any purpose connected with railways or the provision of railway services, make one or more schemes for the transfer of property, rights and...
“(1) The Welsh Ministers may, for any purpose connected with railways or the provision of railway services, make one or more schemes for the transfer of property, rights and...
“(1) Schedule ( (2) In sections ( (a) ‘a former GBR’ means a body corporate formerly designated as Great British Railways under section 1; (b) ‘a proposed GBR’ means...
“(1) The Secretary of State may make one or more schemes under which persons who hold employment in the civil service of the State become employees of the Passengers’ Council (but...
“(1) The purpose of Great British Railways is defined by the following objectives— (a) prioritising the needs of Great British Railways passengers in decision-making, (b) delivering...
“(1) Within six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a framework of key performance indicators for Great British...
“(1) Great British Railways Retail is subject to the same conditions, standards and transparency requirements as all other accredited retailers. (2) Conditions, standards and transparency...
“The purpose of the Passengers’ Council is to— (a) champion the interests of all users and potential users of the railway, including, in particular, the needs of disabled...
“(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, lay before Parliament a Passengers’ Charter. (2) A Passengers’ Charter must...
“(1) Great British Railways must prepare and publish a report on how it will exercise its function under section 3(1)(d) of this Act (the ‘ticketing function’). (2) A report...
“(1) Within six months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must undertake a comprehensive review of passenger safety. (2) A review under this section...
“(1) The Secretary of State must establish a fund for the purpose of providing improvements to the railway in the long term, including investment in new or reopened railways lines and...
“(1) Within twelve months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report containing a review of the Restoring Your Railway...
“(1) Within twelve months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on the potential merits of customer loyalty programmes...
“(1) Within one year beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on— (a) costs of; (b) benefits of; (c) risks...
“(1) Within a year of the passing of this Act the Secretary of State must conduct a review of the Access for All programme. (2) The review as set out in subsection (1) must identify the...
“(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, publish a framework that seeks to meet the following objectives— (a) reduce the...
“In the exercise of any of its functions, Great British Railways must take all reasonable steps to contribute to— (a) the achievement of targets in sections 1 to 3 of the Environment...
“(1) Great British Railways must conduct an annual review of all public road level crossings on the railway network. (2) The purposes of the review as set out in subsection (1) is to...
“(1) The Secretary of State must appoint a Board to review decisions taken in respect of Great British Railways (“the Board”). (2) The Secretary of State must appoint to the...
“(1) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act and every subsequent 12 months, Great British Railways must publish a national rolling stock strategy. (2) Each strategy under subsection...
“(1) Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must by regulations, make provision for minimum service levels to operate on passenger railway services during...
[Matt Western in the Chair]
“(1) Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must by regulations, make provision for minimum service levels to operate on passenger railway services during...
“(1) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish a Working Practices and Modernisation Framework (‘the Framework’). (2) The Framework must...
“(1) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish a framework for the long-term leasing of rolling stock (‘the Framework’). (2) The Framework...
“(1) Within 12 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, Great British Railways must publish a report containing a long-term pipeline of infrastructure and rolling stock work...
“(1) Great British Railways must publish a business plan each year. (2) The business plan set out in subsection (1) must include— (a) a summary of activities that Great British...
“(1) The Secretary of State must set and publish a target to increase passenger numbers in Great Britain. (2) The Secretary of State— (a) must keep the target under review, and (b)...
“(1) Within 6 months beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must by regulations make provisions for the enforcement powers of the Passengers’...
“(1) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, and every 12 months thereafter, Great British Railways must prepare and publish an annual report setting out— (a) the steps it has...
“(1) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act and every subsequent 12 months, Great British Railways must publish a national signalling strategy. (2) Each strategy under subsection (1)...
“Application and commencement of scheme 1 (1) The property, rights and liabilities to be transferred may be specified or described by a scheme. (2) A scheme comes into force on the date it...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendments made: 186, in schedule 3, page 70, line 27, at end insert— “7A In section 18, omit subsection (6A).” This amendment removes provision about franchised and operator of...
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.
Amendments made: 200, in clause 90, page 53, line 12, at end insert— “‘Passenger Transport Executive for an integrated transport area’ means a body which is the Passenger...
Amendments made: 201, in clause 91, page 53, line 32, at end insert— “(A1) This Act extends to England and Wales and Scotland only, subject to subsections (A2) to (1). (A2) Section 86...
Committee membership and attendance (out of 14)
Chairpersons
Members
[ Committee memberships can change partway through ]
