§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has decided which British Rail routes to include in the first passenger franchises; and whether this group will include the east coast main line.
§ Mr. FreemanNo decisions have yet been taken on which passenger rail services will be the first to be offered for franchising. We hope to take a decision on this shortly, taking into account the responses we have received to our consultation document on franchising, published in October.