HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc507-8W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Thameslink's plans for franchise extensions aimed at increasing capacity. [94134]

Mr. Hill

The Franchising Director and Chief Executive of the Shadow SRA has recently invited franchises to submit bids for the renegotiation of passenger rail franchises, and encouraged them to include proposals for significant new investment in improving capacity, punctuality and reliability of services in their bids. He has also announced that he will prioritise those bids that he receives, and will take them forward for renegotiation over the coming months. The Franchising Director will review any renegotiation that he receives from Thameslink's franchise GOVIA as part of this process.