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That would not be appropriate, particularly as we are about to move into procurement. However, I think that everyone has heard what you have had to say, and I am sure that there will be a lot of sympathy towards that from many people.

Yes, that is part of our requirement.

Any investment in rail is good for the rail industry. From here, I will go to speak at lunch time to the Railway Industry Association, which represents a number of Scottish companies and international companies that are based in Scotland. Our approach to rail is looked on with envy from other parts of the UK, because we have had a constant pipeline—whether of track or train—in procurement and, obviously, there are supply companies in that firmament. As part of our contribution to the economic wellbeing of Scotland, we very much want that area—and jobs, apprentices, the skills base and everything else within it—to progress. That is all part of how we see the rail industry in Scotland.

The rail industry and rail provision in Scotland are not just about providing passenger transport, core though that is: they are also about the economic, social and environmental impacts. We look at things in the round in that context, and we are working closely with rail unions in that regard.

In relation to operation for Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, it is important that the lines for those four cities are all supported.

I understand that 25 trains are being replaced—someone has helpfully indicated to me that that is the number.

The operation of track and train is still fully determined and fully decided by the UK Government, under the Railways Act 1993, and issues still have to be referred to, approved by or agreed by the UK secretary of state. The real problem that we had with the Conservative Government’s rail reform legislation last year was that even had we wanted to make decisions about franchising or other areas, we would have had to seek permission from the UK secretary of state. This is about making more permanent the powers that we have.

I will continue to have that discussion with the UK secretary of state as the UK Government’s second major piece of legislation on Great Britain rail reform comes through.

On that note, I look forward to—

That is an important question. I have been asked in the committee before about replacement of high-speed trains. We have taken the decision that ScotRail can go forward with procurement. It is going to run an open competition for replacement of trains, so it is not possible to say what type of trains they will be. That will be set out when it runs that competition. The requirement will be for trains of an intercity type to serve long-distance travellers, with corresponding levels of passenger comfort and amenities.

On timing, the procurement will start, in relation to the issue of contract details for the procurement, in the next few weeks. As a result of the procurement, there will be determination of what type of trains they will be. We certainly want to achieve carbon reductions. The extent of electrification that is required, for example, will be determined by the outcome of the procurement exercise. However, it is important to reassure you that the cost of infrastructure to support the replacement is part of our financial planning, so we have worked closely with the Exchequer and finance officials to ensure that the potential capital requirements are understood.

As I said, the type of train will be determined in the outcome of the procurement exercise. Any modern train will be cleaner and greener than its predecessor, so I say to members who have asked questions in the chamber about the comfort and experience of passengers that those things will also be improved.

I give the commitment, as I have done in my correspondence with the committee, that we will keep you updated on progress, which will give you some indication of the timeline. However, we are at the start of the process; I thought it important to come to the committee and let you know that the process has now started. We will keep you updated, which will give you the answers that you probably want as to when, where and so on, but we need to let the procurement exercise start.

If I may, I would like to address Graham Simpson’s point. I look forward to Graham Simpson agreeing with the Scottish Government—and, I assume, voting with the Scottish Government if we bring this to Parliament—that rail services should be fully devolved, which would enable Scottish Governments of any colour to decide what policy on rail they want. I am looking forward to that support.

That assessment helped us to make sure that we have our finances in position and are capable of dealing with the potential procurement. That exercise has been done. Our job now is to let ScotRail get on with the procurement, which is what I am announcing to Parliament will happen.

The clear model, which I will continue to set out, is for rail services to be fully devolved to Scotland. I have already stated that in my meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Transport. The right way forward for Labour would be for it to recognise devolution and that Scotland has been leading in much of the policy direction that it wants to go in. If, following the understanding that we can have devolved operation of transport services, Labour wanted to copy our model for the rest of the UK, it would be a shame and, I think, a retrograde step if it centralised rail. That would be problematic, and I would like to see the full devolution of rail services.

It is early doors and, to be fair to the new incoming UK Government, it is focusing on the immediate legislation that we are discussing. I hope that the atmosphere is favourable and there can be an understanding. I would hope, with Alex Hynes having been seconded into the UK Department for Transport, that there will be an understanding in the centre of the UK Government of Scotland’s position and the opportunities that exist.

I am not sure whether there have been discussions at official level on the likely timescales for the next phase of the establishment of GB rail.