21-3-02

BYERS MUST COME TO COMMONS TO EXPLAIN ROLE IN RAIL DISPUTE - BARRETT

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Cross Border
Transport, today demanded that Stephen Byers come to the House of Commons
and explain his role in the Scotrail/ASLEF dispute.

Mr Barrett made the call during today's Business Questions in the House of
Commons.

John Barrett MP said:

"Following newspaper reports, there is now a major question mark hanging
over the Transport Secretary and the role he has played in blocking a
settlement to the dispute. He must now come to the House of Commons and
allow MPs to question him thoroughly on the action he took.

"This is a Transport Secretary who stumbles from one crisis to another.
Whether it is rail safety, air traffic control, the role of spin doctors or
now Scottish rail services, he must now end the speculation and state
precisely his involvement in the pay dispute and in particular whether he
blocked a potential breakthrough which could have ended the strikes almost
two weeks ago."

ENDS