§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects the Franchising Director to publish the minimum specification requirements for proposed passenger train franchises.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Franchising Director will be formally consulting local authorities and rail users consultative committees on the proposed specifications for franchises before inviting tenders. I expect the first of those consultations to take place early next year.
I understand that the Franchising Director is also intending to submit for comment his overall approach to setting such specifications, as the policy on this is further developed.