| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Railways: Franchises
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which significant infrastructure investments have been agreed in the past five years as part of railway franchise agreements (as distinct from those made by Network Rail). [HL5904]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): Agreements made with franchisees to invest directly in infrastructure since 2004 are limited to a small number of depot projects. Other projects, such as station improvements, have been set out as commitments under franchise agreements, but with investment undertaken by Network Rail. Chiltern, which has a unique franchise agreement, has made infrastructure investments in this period, such as Evergreen II and Wembley maintenance depot.
Railways: Network Rail
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 27 October (WA 148), what steps they are taking
6 Nov 2008 : Column WA86
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The Office of Rail Regulation’s final determination for control period 4 set Network Rail an efficiency target of 21 per cent for the years 2009-14. Should the company succeed in achieving this target, it would, combined with the 30 per cent efficiency savings made during control period 3, have made efficiency savings of some 50 per cent over a 10-year period. The determination provides incentives for Network Rail to work with train operators and others to outperform this target.
The National Audit Office report into franchising published in October 2007 found that the Department for Transport has delivered better value for money for the taxpayer on the eight franchises let since the department took over from the Strategic Rail Authority in 2005.
Terrorism: India
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they classify the Indian groups Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its youth wing Bajrang Dal (BD) as terrorist organisations. [HL5762]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The Government do not consider the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or the Bajrang Dal as terrorist organisations.
Neither organisation is proscribed in the UK or in India, nor do the Indian Government classify either as a terrorist organisation.
Decisions on UK proscription must be proportionate and based on evidence that a group is involved in terrorism as defined in the Terrorism Act 2000. Organisations which cause us concern are kept under continuous review.
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that members of Hindu organisations in India known as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its youth wing Bajrang Dal (BD) are prevented from entering the United Kingdom. [HL5763]
Lord Malloch-Brown: Neither the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh nor the Bajrang Dal are proscribed in the UK or subject to other restrictions or sanctions. Nor are they classified as terrorist organisations or banned by the Indian Government.
Unless an organisation is proscribed in the UK under the Terrorism Act 2000, membership of an organisation does not in itself provide grounds for refusing entry to the UK. Where there is evidence that the presence in the UK of a particular individual would not be conducive to the public good, consideration will be given to denying entry.
| Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |