Speeches by Ranger.

“Q I live in north-east Wales, but across many other parts of the country the complexity of cross-border services is also significant. In the Welsh case, the Welsh Government own TfW, which carries out lots of services in north-west England and Manchester; there are other such examples around the country. Are the mechan…”

“Q On the devolution aspect, how does the Bill reflect the interests of passengers and businesses’ needs, particularly in Wales, and ensure that the Welsh Government have sufficient input into decision making? Keir Mather: The Bill requires the Secretary of State to obtain the consent of Scottish and Welsh Ministers bef…”

“Q Thank you both for coming in. This question is for both of you. Clause 80 of the Bill puts a duty on GBR to consult Scottish and Welsh Ministers if it appears that a decision that it makes would “significantly affect the interests” of the Scottish or Welsh economy, or persons living in, working in, or visiting Scotla…”

“Q Mr Reeve, do you have anything to add? Bill Reeve: My Welsh colleague’s point about the importance of culture and behaviours and how that is given effect through the MOU will be the real test. As drafted the primary legislation seems fine, and there is indeed an obligation to consult on services that cross the border…”

“Q When do you think the memorandum of understanding will be ready? Keir Mather: That is a very good question. The answer eludes me at this moment, but I am happy to either let you know or inform the Committee in writing.”

“Q It is a very quick one, so you could please just give me a one word answer. It is a question to the whole panel. After all we have discussed, in your opinion, will this Bill produce a railway service that better serves its passengers? Emma Vogelmann: Hopefully. That is my one word answer. Michael Roberts: Not by itse…”

“I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this excellent debate and on his excellent speech. One of the most important and exciting aspects of SDCs, such as the excellent Xplore! Science Discovery Centre in my constituency of Wrexham, which neighbours his constituency, is their ability to reach those from disadvantaged…”

“Ian, do you have anything to add on that point about bringing those UK Government areas into the Bill in Wales?”

“That is good to hear. That places duties on public services—prison, probation and others—to co-operate in the prevention of homelessness, but should the Home Office, DWP and police also be included in that Bill, Minister?”

“I might be coming on to that. Is that the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill?”

“That is a really important point. In north-east Wales there is various good third sector work going on.”

“So you do not think the housing allowance is really going to have an impact in terms of that work.”

“I want to return to housing, which we touched on earlier when we were talking about probation. Minister, the UK Government’s decision to freeze the local housing allowance is potentially going to leave many low-income households at greater risk of homelessness. Do you feel that this could have an effect on prison leave…”

“It has been good to see that there has been—as you have already alluded to—some great partnership working already happening. I am thinking of the developments happening in my area in north-east Wales, but also in south Wales and all the investment that is going on. It does rely on partnership working, and there is pote…”

“Yes, on a continuation of that point. Lots of Transport for Wales assets are actually in England. I am thinking about Chester station, Shrewsbury station, the Shrewsbury-Chester line and the Marches line, which are key connection routes. The Transport for Wales brand, as you have highlighted, is quite a strong brand in…”

“As you said, and as we heard from the panel before, Scottish Ministers will enjoy significant powers of direction under clause 8 of the Bill. But in the context of the current settlement, or in the Bill as it stands, is there any scope for Welsh Ministers to have some powers of direction?”

“What outcomes would devolution of rail enable that could not be achieved in Wales through the current settlement? What difference would it make?”

“Is that due to decisions made 20-odd years ago when devolution of rail happened more widely across the UK?”

“Thank you. To wrap up this housing section, we have heard that engagement between prison resettlement teams and local authority housing teams is often inadequate. Quite often, you have people moving around between different prisons and records getting lost, and then a problem with rehousing as people leave prison. This…”

“Thank you for joining us today. The Welsh Government have long called for greater devolution of rail policy. Does the Railways Bill as drafted progress that ambition?”