The “honest conversation” that Transport Minister Humza Yousaf seeks about the future of Scotland’s railways will doubtless include a shout-out for the full devolution of Network Rail. We hope this call will be heeded. At present, the Milton Keynes-based transport body remains responsible for managing the track, signalling and infrastructure of Scotland’s railways. It is also responsible for 54 per cent of the delays.

To that extent, whatever the greater arguments from political ideology or constitutional aims, this is essentially a functional matter. It is about efficiency and the possibility of large savings to the public purse. Certainly, it is also about democratic scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament, but that is hardly a revolutionary demand. Indeed, such a move has already been backed by the think-tank Reform Scotland, in a report co-authored by Labour’s former UK transport minister Tom Harris.

As he said late last year: “The Scottish Government is responsible for the strategic direction and funding of the Scottish rail network, but this responsibility cannot be properly exercised while Network Rail remains answerable to the UK Government.”

This was a common-sense observation, indicating that devolution of Network Rail’s responsibilities should command cross-party support. To Conservatives, both south and north of the border, surely the prospect of saving the taxpayer £100 million a year speaks to their pecuniary soul.

As for our weary rail travellers, many probably couldn’t care who is in control, as long as the service gets them from A to C, even if via B, on time. But, undoubtedly, they would welcome the real possibility of reducing journey times and delays and of reinvesting savings to fund improved services and rolling stocks.

Doubtless, Theresa May had more cosmopolitan matters than Scotland’s railway infrastructure in mind when she talked yesterday of devolving more decision-making power. But the matter has repeatedly been placed in the in-tray of her Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling. It is now well past the time that he took it out and agreed it makes sense.