ANNIVERSARY OF POTTERS BAR TRAGEDY AND THE RAIL SERVICE

Early day motion 1130, tabled 6 May 2003 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House notes 10th May is the anniversary of the Potters Bar tragedy; welcomes the decision of Network Rail to bring some maintenance contracts back in-house but notes the continued damaging legacy of the Tory privatisation and fragmentation of the railway; regrets with increasing concern the escalating financial crisis facing the network; further notes that, despite receiving greater levels of subsidy than under public ownership, a number of the train operating companies are technically insolvent and rail maintenance costs have doubled; at the same time is alarmed that whilst services deteriorate public money is still being used to subsidise private share dividends; believes that privatisation has failed the railways; and asks the Government to consider creating a publicly owned, publicly accountable and fully integrated railway to ensure a better deal for the passenger and taxpayer.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Plaid Cymru 4, Liberal Democrat 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.