Speeches by Shanker.

“Is the network under GBR truly going to be integrated as long as funding for services and infrastructure is separated?”

“I think you have covered some of this. You spoke about the experience of running an integrated track and train operation on the core valley lines, as well as running services on track owned by Network Rail. You spoke a little bit about the lessons you have learned by doing that and what help you could offer GBR. Overal…”

“Is the network under GBR truly going to be integrated as long as funding for services and infrastructure is separated?”

“I think you have covered some of this. You spoke about the experience of running an integrated track and train operation on the core valley lines, as well as running services on track owned by Network Rail. You spoke a little bit about the lessons you have learned by doing that and what help you could offer GBR. Overal…”

“Does the hon. Member agree that the work of fantastic charities such as Derbyshire Cricket Foundation is essential to nurturing the game from the ground up and ensuring that people from all walks of life can enjoy it?”

“Ben, you have come out pretty strongly in expressing your concern about the provisions for the new passenger watchdog to be grown out of Transport Focus. You have said it will lack the independence, power and resources to act effectively on behalf of passengers—pretty strong stuff. Why is that? What changes do you thin…”

“This one is for Sue; I think you covered some of this earlier, but feel free to add a bit more. In your written evidence on the previous draft legislation, you talk about the collaboration with Transport Focus in advocating for disabled passengers. How do you see DPTAC’s role in relation to the new passenger watchdog? …”

“This one is for Emma. You said that the general duty in the Bill to promote the needs of disabled passengers is vague and unenforceable. What would you like to see in the Bill to improve that?”

“I refer the House to my interest as vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on rail. Rail is in Derby’s DNA. For decades, it has powered our community, moulded our economy and inspired generations of engineers and designers. I see the proof of that week in, week out, whether when meeting fantastic apprentices a…”

“I welcome the strategy, which will mean that 5,500 children in Derby South will be lifted out of poverty. I particularly welcome changes around temporary accommodation. Does my right hon. Friend agree that no child, whether in Derby or anywhere else in the country, should be brought up in a bed and breakfast?”

“With winter setting in and thousands of Gazan children still acutely malnourished, will my right hon. Friend work with international partners so we can go further and faster to help those children?”

“I welcome this Budget as it cracks on and delivers for our kids, for our NHS and for hard-working families up and down the country. Importantly, it also delivers for Derby. It is no wonder the Tories do not like it. I have said it before and I will say it again: in Derby, we are proud to be a city of makers. What we bu…”

“Failed, humiliated and made to feel too much trouble for schools to look after—that is how one Derby mum says she and her son, who has cerebral palsy, felt when, after a staggering 14 months out of school, he was offered a school place that still did not meet his needs. Does the Minister agree that we urgently need to …”

“T8. Earlier this year I met brilliant Derby apprentices at Alstom, who are building their futures as they build the future of our rail. However, persistently low start rates in the east midlands have left too many of our young people missing out on the opportunities that apprenticeships give. What steps is the Secretar…”

“Finally on funding, should or should not any other provisions for funding be set out in primary legislation?”

“For the time being, is the Department right to exclude funding for passenger services from the periodic review process?”

“Are you content with the role that the ORR will have in relation to GBR’s funding process?”

“If the Secretary of State, for example, does not take the advice and does not listen to you, should there be a mechanism to be able to challenge that? Or do you think that putting stuff in the public domain would be sufficient?”

“Fundamentally, though, in your view, can a regulator hold a public body to account for its performance if it has no enforcement power?”

“We touched on the business plan earlier; going back to that, the Department has said that the ORR “will be able to scrutinise performance across the full scope” of GBR’s business plan, but will do so “in an advisory rather than enforcing capacity.” What is your reaction to that?”