It has caused a lot of work in terms of assessing their work because they have different standards in those countries

Railtrack spokeswoman

Ms Anderson said that Railtrack Scotland's resources were being taken up by the introduction of the new Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) and the upgrading of the West Coast main line.

As a result, the firm had not been able to recruit enough trained engineers across the UK.

"We have been through our key suppliers and have found engineers in Romania and the Phillipines," she told the committee.

"We're now just getting to the stage of being comfortable that what the Filipinos and the Romanians are doing is in accordance with what would happen in the UK."

'Situation improving'

A Railtrack spokeswoman later said: "It has caused a lot of work in terms of assessing their work because they have different standards in those countries.

"We have been teaching them the methods we use in Scotland and the situation is improving all the time."

Points across Scotland have been inspected

Ms Anderson had earlier expressed her sadness at the Potters Bar disaster last week in which seven people died.

The accident had been "a savage blow" to Railtrack but said the organisation was making a "concerted effort" to press ahead with its improvement plans.

More than 100 points had been checked along Scotland's railway network over the weekend to ensure that they were safe and fully operational.

Questioned by Labour backbencher Maureen Macmillan, Ms Anderson also ruled out the setting up of a Scottish Railtrack, which is favoured by the Scottish National Party.

'Nationwide network'

But she insisted that Scotland should be represented on the board of the new not-for-profit body being set up to replace Railtrack, which was placed in administration last year by Transport Secretary Stephen Byers.

Ms Anderson said: "You would be in danger of marginalising Scotland in the network.

"It's a nationwide network - it does not stop at the border."