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Railway Safety Levy Regulations 2006

My Lords, I could not speak earlier, so perhaps I will be allowed to join in the debate now. We have no fundamental objection to the order, the general thrust of which we support. Probably the most interesting part of the debate relates to heritage railways, and it might be appropriate that I missed my turn to speak on this occasion, as the noble Lord is justifiably regarded as an expert. Many of us will be happy if we can be assured that heritage railways, which are a very important cultural asset, will be protected and that the Government will ensure that they are guarded in the future. For children of all ages, the heritage railways are a wonderful asset and a wonderful part of our living history. It does, however, detract a little from the romance of the age of steam when one realises how much more polluting those things are when they go past. The good and the bad of the past are preserved in this cultural asset, and I hope that the Minister will be able to assure us that it will be guarded.