Examination of Witnesses (Questions 16411
- 16419)
Ordered: that Counsel and Parties be called in.
16411. Chairman: Can I remind people
that the Committee this morning will rise at about a quarter to
12 so that people can get coffee and also for Prime Minister's
Questions. This morning we are dealing with four re-hearing Petitions:
Petition 183, 184, 190 and 194. Before we do that, Mr Elvin, you
are going to sum up the freight industry.
16412. Mr Elvin: I was, sir, but I was
slightly surprised to be handed three lengthy letters from Bircham
Dyson Bell this morning without any notice which attempts to reargue
the freight case and to put in further evidence to the Committee.
16413. Chairman: There was three letters
in my place when I sat down this morning and I was even more perturbed
to get them in that way. If you can leave it with us and the clerks
we can liaise on this matter and look at it later. If there are
matters which you have identified that you want to deal with,
you may do so, but if you want more time later, that can be arranged.
16414. Mr Elvin: I suspect, if the Committee
is willing to entertain the freight industry, having yet another
bite of the cherry having spent two and a half weeks on this—
16415. Chairman: Let me say, I was quite
perturbed yesterday where we had a return by Tarmac which seemed
to go on and on and on. I think if we had given them enough rope
yesterday we would be dealing with that issue for the next month
or so.
16416. Mr Elvin: Can I give you an example
and I will leave the point. You will see one of the letters—I
am not sure it is easy to identify the difference—freight
on electric slow lines of the Great Eastern Main Line, which is
a two-paged letter that is seeking to go over matters on which
Mr Berryman gave evidence on day 53. Mr Straker had ample opportunity
to cross-examine him. Mr Berryman deals with it on day 53 at paragraphs
15647, in chief led by Ms Lieven. He is then cross-examined by
Mr Straker. If leading Counsel did not bring the points up it
does seem to me a little rich for the agents to try and revisit
the issue now.
16417. Chairman: Yesterday, when we were
hearing evidence, I think you were more than kind to the freight
industry in letting them be repetitious in their arguments in
relation to the freight industry. All I can say is that we can
liaise a little later on on these matters, but I think you made
your point yesterday where you said there are channels for these
to be dealt with.
16418. Mr Elvin: I am going to set it
out for you again this morning. We will leave that for the Committee
to handle, and if you want us to put anything else in writing,
let us know and we will assist you in writing. Can I tell the
Committee that there are two further information papers which
should have been circulated. One which will go in in respect of
the re-hearing of Petitioners which is a revised strategy in relation
to offering re-housing. There is also a new information paper
G5 which sets out the revised depot and stabling strategy, that
is to say, what is now proposed and will be promoted through the
next AP, a change in the depot from Romford to the western side.
I do not propose to say anything more about that, no doubt, we
will come back at a later stage.
16419. That said, I would like to turn to our
general submissions on the rail Petitions, focusing particularly
on the freight issue of which you have heard so much. Sir, you
should have a note in writing which should make life a little
easier for the shorthand writers and the Committee clerk.
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