PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF THE RAILWAY

Early day motion 1714, tabled 12 October 2004 by Michael Meacher (Labour). Signed by 55 members.

That this House notes that since November 2003, passenger services have been operated in the public sector on South Eastern trains; also notes that since that time punctuality figures have improved in every quarter; further notes that in the Network Rail areas where maintenance contracts were first brought 'in-house' delays caused by infrastructure failures have fallen between 36 per cent. and 50 per cent.; welcomes these developments alongside the growing support for public ownership of the rail network; and believes that the Government should now make a commitment to take the railway franchises back into public hands as they fall due.

Signatures by party: Labour 51, Labour/Co-operative 2, Liberal Democrat 1, Plaid Cymru 1.