Hansard

The Convener Green

Item 2 is a further evidence session with Keith Brown, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, and his colleagues Jim Barton and Frances Duffy, on a range...

Charlie Gordon Lab

I will start by asking about high-speed rail, on which we last heard ministerial evidence in September. Will you update us on how the Scottish Government’s r...

Keith Brown SNP

Most recently, I had a conversation with the Secretary of State for Transport on this issue. I made it clear to him that, in Scotland’s view, Scotland must b...

Charlie Gordon Lab

Some time ago, the committee took evidence from campaigners against the proposed third runway at Heathrow airport, who made the point that cancelling the run...

Keith Brown SNP

I think so, although he has not said as much to me. The issue of a third runway at Heathrow is a matter for the UK Government but, like you, airport operator...

Charlie Gordon Lab

Like you, I am sure, I noticed that, very recently and in advance of any formal consultation on HS2 construction, Philip Hammond announced more than £200 mil...

Keith Brown SNP

I think that you have to. I cannot imagine why anyone would spend that kind of money speculatively. I know that certain people in the industry remain sceptic...

Charlie Gordon Lab

You said that you are pressing the UK minister on end-to-end journey times, which could improve incrementally as each stage of high-speed rail, including HS2...

Keith Brown SNP

The fact that you have asked the question suggests that there might be, although I am not aware of any. Perhaps Frances Duffy might be better able to answer ...

Frances Duffy

That is a good question and we are pressing HS2 for more detail on—and to carry out more detailed consideration of—how the first phases will link back into t...

Charlie Gordon Lab

In addition, the UK Government appears to be proposing a Y-shaped network in which high-speed rail on its way to the west side of the country would branch ov...

Frances Duffy

I cannot immediately see a downside. I cannot see the point of introducing high-speed rail if it is going to mean a decrease in service, but we need to press...

Charlie Gordon Lab

What I have in mind is any trade-off that might not necessarily meet with our approbation. We have already heard that East Coast has made some rather strange...

Frances Duffy

We have recently had a commitment from East Coast that it will continue its throughput of services all the way up the east coast from Edinburgh. One of our c...

The Convener Green

Would I be right to suggest that, given that the majority of the capacity problems are in the south of the UK, the HS2 proposal offers the possibility of inc...

Frances Duffy

There is a potential for that and we have to make sure that we capture it.

The Convener Green

I turn to the minister to ask about the relationship with the UK Government. You have indicated that there is an on-going dialogue. Has that been easy to mai...

Keith Brown SNP

I would be happy to do that. So far, our conversations have been fairly courteous and helpful, although they tend to be quite rushed because we are trying to...

The Convener Green

As there are no further questions on high-speed rail, we will turn to Network Rail.

Marlyn Glen Lab

What involvement has the Scottish Government had with the UK Department for Transport and Network Rail on the restructuring of Network Rail?16:15

Keith Brown SNP

The most recent involvement was a discussion with the secretary of state in which I made clear to him that the forthcoming ScotRail franchise renewal and the...

Frances Duffy

We have had a number of discussions on the proposals at official level, not only with the Department for Transport but with the Office of Rail Regulation and...

Marlyn Glen Lab

Does the devolution of power to Network Rail’s regions have any policy or financial implications for the Scottish Government?

Keith Brown SNP

The policy implication is simply that there is more discretion for the route manager—I think that that is the right term; Ron McAulay, from whom you just hea...

Marlyn Glen Lab

Are there any financial implications?

Keith Brown SNP

It is the same thing. Financially, Network Rail would be able to move more quickly to agree projects if they had agreement from us. The further devolution wo...

Marlyn Glen Lab

You talked about how far the devolution of Network Rail could be taken. Would the Scottish Government consider vertical integration of train and infrastructu...

Keith Brown SNP

In Roy McNulty’s rail value for money study, there was a simple diagram that showed that, the closer we get to vertical integration, the more efficient it be...

Frances Duffy

In the short term, devolving greater accountability to the route manager in Scotland will provide them with an opportunity to work more closely with the fran...

The Convener Green

I see that there are no further questions on Network Rail. Before we leave railways, I will ask one further question. In written answers, I have been told th...