asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they will next discuss rail track safety and updating with the Office of Rail Regulation to resolve its reported disagreement with Network Rail; and what suggestions they will put forward. [HL5858]

The next regular meeting between Ministers and the chief executive and chairman of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) in November is scheduled for early in November.

The Office of Rail Regulation served an improvement notice on Network Rail on 9 June 2008. Network Rail has appealed against that notice. As is normal practice, an employment tribunal will handle the appeal process.