Crossrail Bill

Network Rail is already in the business of timetable control and applied for the access option to run the Crossrail service on its network. It is important that charging is carefully considered in the discussions at the moment—not just in those with the Office of Rail Regulation, but in those with the other stakeholders. There have to be continued discussions, but they already involve timetable control. That should reassure the noble Lord somewhat. The complexity of this is apparent. Both noble Lords conceded that there might be some technical deficiencies in their amendments. I understand their urgency in wanting to see these issues resolved, but I do not think that they can be resolved by way of an amendment to the Bill. The amendments are not terribly helpful in that respect, although I appreciate the way in which noble Lords have raised these important issues in relation to the Select Committee report. I cannot really go any further than that today.