asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the ASLEF unofficial action on the south-western division of the Southern Region of British Railways.

The action arises from disatisfaction with a recent decision of the Railway Staff National Tribunal to reject ASLEF's claim for payments to footplate staff in parallel with bonus payments for pay train guards for the extra duties of issuing and inspection of tickets. It is quite unjustified, damaging to the long-term prospects of British Railways and inexcusable in the inconvenience it is causing to the travelling public.I understand it is taking place against advice of the general secretary of ASLEF.