Speeches by Mather.

“With the leave of the House, I thank right hon. and hon. Members for their contributions. While it will not be possible to address every amendment, I will try to discuss the topics raised and do my very best to do them justice. I turn first to amendments not covered by the Bill as drafted. New clauses 11, 18 and 46 and…”

“Clause 6”

“”

“I will not give way again; I am sorry. I want to leave time for colleagues to contribute. The Government have also tabled amendments 96, 125, 129, 130, 131, 134, 135 and 138, which are minor, correctional or consequential amendments to ensure that the drafting of the Bill is fit for purpose and the statute book is kept…”

“This section would ensure that subsidiaries of GBR and companies jointly owned by GBR and the Scottish or Welsh Ministers are treated in the same way for the purposes of Crown status as is GBR itself.”

““(6A) This section applies in relation to GBR companies as it applies in relation to Great British Railways.”—(Keir Mather.)”

“For the final time, I give way.”

“Amendment made: 93, page 2, line 7, at end insert—”

“Crown status etc”

“We certainly hope that it will. On the specific issues that my hon. Friend raises, will he consider writing to either myself or the Rail Minister so that we can think about how we can better integrate those live concerns about people suffering from mental health crises and how we might better protect them on our railwa…”

“(b) stating the reasons for proposing to do so, and”

“Clause 2”

“This amendment would require that the body corporate to be designated as Great British Railways be wholly owned by the Crown, and would prevent ministers and members of the body from taking steps that would result in that status changing.”

“That is exactly why we are establishing GBR: to provide my hon. Friend with a consistent approach to making the case for the railway infrastructure improvements that he needs. Also, the devolution settlement enshrined in the Bill will ensure that GBR can work at the local level, with the ability for mayors to fund GBR …”

“(4) In this section ‘Minister of the Crown’ has the same meaning as in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975.” —(Keir Mather.)”

“(3) Where the designation of a body corporate by the regulations has effect no Minister of the Crown, and no person who is a member of the body, may take any steps that will result in the body ceasing to be wholly owned by the Crown.”

“I am glad that my hon. Friend is working so closely with the people who drive our railway and discussing the impact that GBR will have. She is right to say that, by integrating track and train and having a single directing mind for our railway, we can think more holistically about the skills of those we need to drive t…”

““(2) A body corporate may be designated by the regulations only if it is wholly owned by the Crown.”

“Amendment made: 92, page 1, line 8, at end insert—”

“I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. I hope he sees that the Government have tabled amendments to ensure that Great British Railways cannot be privatised by the back door. Any changes would have to be made through an Act of Parliament, with full consultation with the House. I am sure that the people who have se…”