Member

The noble Lord who speaks for the Opposition rightly pointed out that devolution has made a difference for railway lines on Merseyside and here in London. My noble friend indicated during the debate on previous amendments that although those arrangements will not be altered, those powers and privileges will not be granted to the mayors of other conurbations in the United Kingdom. Again, I can express only disappointment if that is the case, because when one compares the lack of staff on many stations owned and maintained by Network Rail with the situation in London or on Merseyside, the passenger does not fare particularly well outside those two cities.