Lord Katz (Lab)

My Lords, it was going so well, then it hit the buffers. I am trying to make that not the last of the rail-related jokes—noble Lords will note the groans from behind me. I thank noble Lords for a stimulating debate—as we had in Committee—and, as several speakers have pointed out, it was a debate on a subject that inspires support from across the House, which is fairly unique in this piece of legislation. It is good to see and is obviously because so many in your Lordships’ House—like those in the rest of the country—enjoy and revel in our industrial heritage, as seen through heritage railways. I thank the noble Lord, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, for bringing the amendment back for further discussion. I think it was the noble Lord himself who outed me as a bit of a rail nerd in Committee, so noble Lords will know that heritage railways is an issue I am familiar with and fully support. It is an issue close to many hearts here in your Lordships’ house and it is great to see the interest we saw in the impassioned debate—it says here, and I agree—repeated here on Report. In addition to the noble Lord, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, I thank my noble friends Lord Faulkner of Worcester and Lord Berkeley, the noble Lord, Lord Palmer of Childs Hill, and the noble Earl, Lord Clancarty. I particularly thank the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, for making a little detour from her usual route to call by our station here tonight. The UK heritage rail sector encompasses more than 170 operational railways, running trains over nearly 600 miles of track and operating between some 460 stations. It creates jobs and greatly supports local economies. I pay tribute to all those who run and maintain those railways; they not only preserve our heritage but contribute greatly to their local tourist economies. I mention this because it is notwithstanding the issues identified by this amendment. The heritage railways are incredibly successful; they go from strength to strength, notwithstanding the issue the amendment raises about the Heritage Railway Association’s concerns. The benefits to all volunteers cannot be overestimated. However, as many speakers have said, it is particularly good for young people, and I wholeheartedly support efforts to encourage young people to take advantage of the volunteering opportunities that heritage railways offer, with their emphasis on teamwork, communication and helping to bring science and engineering topics to life. It is vital that any work or volunteering is carried out safely and should be appropriate to the age and experience of the volunteer. It is also important to recognise that additional measures, such as effective supervision, need to be in place for young people, particularly those aged 14 to 16. Health and safety law requires heritage railway operators to protect a young person’s health and safety, taking account of their age, lack of experience and levels of maturity. Of course, not all work is suitable for young people; dangerous or high-risk work activities should not be carried out. Health and safety risk assessments help heritage railway operators to determine what work activity should be carried out and how to make sure it is done safely. After all, we want to preserve and revive heritage railways, not heritage employment practices. While the Health and Safety Executive and the Office of Rail and Road provide general guidance, it is for the Heritage Railway Association to support its operators with detailed guidance about suitable activities for young people.