The first question expected in the Lords today will be put by Lord Bradshaw. His question to the Government is "what steps they are taking to ensure there is sufficient rolling stock available to the railways to meet demand". It's an interesting question - and as a frequent user of the train services to London from Rugby, I'll be watching the answer with interest.

Lord Bradshaw is a frequent questioner on rail matters. he worked for British Rail (the then nationalised company providing the rail infrastructure and services in the UK) from 1959 to 1985, starting as a management trainee in the Western Region and rising to the post of Director Policy Unit in 1980, and General manager of British Rail's Western Region 1983. His interest in railways may be in his genes - my understanding is that he is a descendant of George Bradshaw, the publisher of the famous 'Bradshaw Railway Timetables'.

Currently he is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Transport in the House of Lords.