Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to encourage train operating companies to install automatic ticket machines in their stations that are of universal design and use the same command sequence; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tom Harris: Decisions on whether to install ticket vending machines, the type of machines to be procured, and the detailed way in which the machines will work, are a matter for train operators.

Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to encourage train operating companies to adopt a consistent nationwide policy on the issuing of penalty fares to passengers not in possession of a valid ticket.

Mr. Tom Harris: All operators who charge penalty fares must comply with the Penalty Fares Rules 2002 and the provisions of their own penalty fares scheme. Every penalty fares scheme must be approved by the Department for Transport. The Penalty Fares Rules ensure consistency between operators in terms of when a penalty fare may and may not be charged, the wording and design of penalty fare warning notices, criteria for accepting or declining appeals, and the use of discretion by staff.

Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what agency has responsibility for ensuring that train operating companies comply with the terms of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage.