---

Crossrail Bill

My Lords, I believe that Crossrail will be successful—it would be operating successfully today if we had legislated for it earlier. One of the lessons of the success of the Alloa railway, where the loadings proved to be three times greater than forecast, was that we should have got on with it earlier. I would like to carry that forward and say, please introduce a high-speed line railway Bill, because we are about to need it now, not after we have legislated for it, which will probably be in about 20 years’ time. I wish the Crossrail Bill well. On Question, Bill passed and returned to the Commons with amendments.