""We have no intelligence"", Minister admits
North East Herts MP Oliver Heald has asked Ministers for assurances that railway industrial action will not lead to a series of rolling actions over coming months.
Asked urgent questions in the House of Commons, the Minister was unable to give a clear assurance when Oliver asked, “The Minister will appreciate that my constituents, who use the ...line run by First Capital Connect ...to King’s Lynn and Peterborough, will want to know whether there is a risk of the action spreading. We have had Great Northern and we have had Thameslink (cancellations). Does the Minister feel that he can reassure my constituents that there will not be a rolling series of disputes that goes on and on and damages my constituents as well?”
Transport Minister Chris Mole MP replied, “As has been made clear, the action is currently unofficial, and we have no intelligence that suggests that it is likely to spread.
Oliver commented, “Commuting is difficult enough anyway, the last thing we need is industrial action, particularly in the run up to Christmas. I did not find the Minister's 'we have no intelligence' very reassuring”
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Notes to editors:
Hansard 12 Nov 2009 : Column 363
Mr. Oliver Heald (North-East Hertfordshire) (Con): The Minister will appreciate that my constituents, who use the neighbouring line run by First Capital Connect running to King’s Lynn and Peterborough, will want to know whether there is a risk of the action spreading. We have had Great Northern and we have had Thameslink. Does the Minister feel that he can reassure my constituents that there will not be a rolling series of disputes that goes on and on and damages my constituents as well?
Chris Mole: As has been made clear, the action is currently unofficial, and we have no intelligence that suggests that it is likely to spread.