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Rail Vehicle Accessibility (Interoperable Rail System) Regulations 2008

We are not against the introduction of these regulations. However, I have a few points to put to the Minister. I should also like to point out that there is a little concern, felt particularly by train operators and other interest groups, about the effect of having two sets of regulations. Train operators have expressed particular concern about the regulations’ effect on refurbishments. Are the Government sure that the regulations will not prejudice the future refurbishment of existing trains? We have two sets of regulations but train operators are refurbishing their trains to the first set. Might there not now be a hiatus in the refurbishment of carriages and trains? Can the Government assure us that operators will not be discouraged from refurbishing trains? Secondly, operators and interest groups have given mixed reviews regarding what form the regulation enforcement regime will take. Many operators feel that compliance should be enforced by existing safety management regulation. Some have suggested that it would be logical for the Office of Rail Regulation to take on a single enforcement role, whereas I gather that light railway operators have argued that Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate should be the enforcement body. What steps have the Government taken to ensure that operators’ concerns about how the regulations will be enforced have been addressed? Will they ensure that the rail regulator is properly resourced to ensure compliance with any regulations? Can the Minister answer the questions on the enforcement of the new regulations? My next point is linked to my first point. The Minister said that there is an end date for compliance with the new European regulations. Might it not be better if new trains comply with regulations as they come on stream? What will happen to carriages that do not comply by 2020? Will they be taken out of the system? There might be a real problem about having sufficient stock at that time if some carriages are not compliant with the new regulations. Whatever we do to provide accessibility for disabled people, sometimes the trains are so crowded—certainly the trains that I use—that people cannot get to the toilet if they want to because it is impossible to move. Would the Minister like to comment on that? How will disabled people get around on trains if they are so full most of the time?