§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals the Rail Franchising Director has received from the rolling stock companies to enable the replacement of Mark 1 rolling stock during the life of the existing franchises of Connex South Central and South West Trains. [67774]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Franchising Director has not received any such proposals from the rolling stock companies. As I said in the answer to the hon. Member on 12 January 1999,Official Report, columns 102–04, it is the responsibility of the train operators to make such arrangements with rolling stock companies as may be necessary to meet either their commitments to the Franchising Director or any requirements of the Health and Safety Executive. The Government are considering recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive that all Mark 1 rolling stock on the network should be modified or rebodied by 2003 and any modified stock replaced by 2007.