Speeches by Mayer.

“How often should this MOU be looked at and revisited, or do you see it as a document that is going to last for a very long time?”

“The Bill talks throughout about consulting with mayoral strategic authorities, but in respect of Scotland and Wales it talks about consulting with Ministers. Do you think there is an issue whereby it is talking about the authority, as opposed to the directly elected mayor as a person?”

“Indeed. They go through Leighton Buzzard.”

“Clause 80 of the Bill puts a duty on GBR to consult Welsh Ministers “if it appears…that the decision will significantly affect the interests of Wales’ economy or of persons living in, working in or visiting Wales.” Do you think that the words “significantly affect” are the right test?”

“Could you give an example of something that you think would “significantly affect” and that you would like to see codified in the MOU?”

“It sounds like this power might have to be used quite a lot because lots of things will be “significantly” affecting. Do we need further detail on how that consultation should be done?”

“How often should this MOU be looked at and revisited, or do you see it as a document that is going to last for a very long time?”

“In the last panel, we heard that quite a bit of store was set by the Wales and Borders business unit. Has there been any discussion about what business units might cover the geographies that you represent?”

“This question may be a bit more technical. We have just been talking about clause 18, which says that all these duties are subject to maintaining sufficient network capacity, as laid out in clause 63. Are you concerned about that at all, or do you think it is self-evident that there has to be sufficient capacity?”

“But is it? It is my understanding that the different train operators at the moment provide slightly different data. Maybe John could answer that.”

“What data is it that you are after?”

“The Government has acknowledged the need to ensure that GBR is not treated favourably over any other retailer. Are there sufficient measures to ensure that independent retailers have got access to the same data and systems that GBR’s retail arm will have? Could you explain what data it is in particular that you feel yo…”

“Ben, is there any indication that fares will become more affordable for passengers because of any provision in the Bill?”

“Shall I ask about clause 18(4), Chair?”

“Would you like a target for passenger growth, like Ben would?”

“Looking at the Bill, a section of it includes the general duties that apply to GBR, Ministers and the ORR—all of them. That is clause 18 of the Bill. Is that clause sufficiently targeted to compel GBR to act in the interests of passengers?”

“We have mainly been talking about individual passengers. One thing that concerns me, particularly in the early days, is the standardisation as all the different train operating companies and everything else is brought together. I imagine that even after we have GBR, there will be some forms of regionalisation within it…”

“The passenger watchdog will have the power to set standards on behalf of passengers. How do you envisage those powers will be used? What are your parameters going to be when you set those standards? What will you have regard to? As well as exactly how the passenger feels, are you going to think about the value for mone…”

“Surely this might be a two-way street. What data would you be willing to share back again?”

“This summer, when I was travelling by train to a bus conference, I managed to lose my bag. I did what everyone in that circumstance would do and panicked slightly, because my purse and my keys were in it, along with my House of Commons pass. I thought, “Who on earth do I contact?”, because I was not entirely sure where…”