Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the role is of the Office of Rail and Road in any proposed transfer of ownership of the Valley Lines to the Welsh Government.

The Office of Rail and Road is the statutory economic and safety regulator for the rail industry in Great Britain. In relation to the proposed transfer of ownership of the Valley Lines, its role will be to ensure that the transfer does not prejudice the interests of other rail industry parties and that the subsequent operator of the Valley Lines infrastructure has in place all necessary licences and other authorisations to ensure that operates in a safe and efficient manner, in the public interest.