asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the promoters of the Crossrail Bill will submit a draft option agreement to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) in respect of its proposed services on the great western and great eastern main lines; and whether the promoters' timetable for the passage of the Crossrail Bill through the House of Lords will allow for the ORR to have made a decision on the option agreement before the Bill is deposited there. [HL1790]

The Crossrail access option is being negotiated with Network Rail with the aim of submitting it to the ORR for approval within a few weeks. The intention continues to be that the ORR’s decision will be in time to inform affected petitioners for their appearances before the House of Lords Select Committee. Whether the decision can be at an earlier stage of the Bill depends on the time the ORR needs and progress with the Bill in the House of Commons.