Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, I shall speak to my Amendment 279, which is grouped with the amendments in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley. I tabled it with noble Lords from across the Chamber, the noble Lords, Lord Forsyth of Drumlean and Lord Bradshaw, and the noble Earl, Lord Clancarty, because we believe that the members of the heritage steam alliance—heritage railways, steam boats and ships, steam...
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the management of the Historical Railways Estate by Highways England; and in particular, whether that management is consistent with the Government’s policies (1) to reverse the Beeching rail cuts, and (2) to promote active travel.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, and remind the House of my railway interests declared in the register.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: My Lords, I am sure that the Minister will agree that the most significant and expensive obstacle to fulfilling the Government’s plans to reverse the Beeching cuts of the 1960s and 1970s is restoring the infrastructure—track bed and bridges particularly—that was so short-sightedly destroyed after lines were closed. No doubt she has read the article and leader in Saturday’s Times. Can...
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: The noble Baroness, Lady Gardner of Parkes, is still having technical issues, so I shall move on to the noble Lord, Lord Purvis of Tweed.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: The noble Baroness, Lady Gardner of Parkes, is having technical issues, so we shall go on to the noble Lord, Lord Sheikh.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: The noble Baroness, Lady Bennett of Manor Castle, has withdrawn so I call the noble Lord, Lord Lansley.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: I am not able to call the noble Baroness, Lady Chalker of Wallasey, so I call the noble Lord, Lord Alton of Liverpool.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: As the noble Baroness, Lady Young of Old Scone, pointed out in her earlier speech, she has been listed twice. I will not call her a second time, but will instead call the noble Baroness, Lady Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: The noble Duke, the Duke of Montrose, has withdrawn, so I call the noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: The noble Earl, Lord Caithness, has indicated that he wishes to speak.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: We now come to the group beginning with Amendment 6. Anyone wishing to press this or anything else in this group to a Division must make that clear in debate.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: I hope that I can call the noble Baroness, Lady Lane-Fox of Soho.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: The noble Baroness, Lady Lane-Fox of Soho, is appearing remotely. We can see her but we cannot hear her.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: We will go to the noble Baroness, Lady Morgan of Cotes.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: I cannot call the noble Baroness, Lady Boycott, so I will call the noble Baroness, Lady Scott of Needham Market.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: I am unable to call the noble Lord, Lord Parekh, so I call the noble Baroness, Lady Bennett of Manor Castle.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: I have received a request to speak after the Minister from the noble Baroness, Lady Hayter of Kentish Town.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester: I have had a request to speak from the noble Lord, Lord Purvis of Tweed.
