§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the franchising director to include sleeper services on the Night West Countryman and the Night Riviera in the contract with train operating companies.
§ Mr. FreemanThe sleeper services on the Night West Countryman and the Night Riviera are included in the existing timetable. The objectives, instructions and guidance issued to the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising on 22 March by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State included an instruction to the effect that, for the initial letting of franchises, the specification of minimum service levels for railway passenger services is to be based on that being provided by British Rail immediately prior to franchising, taking into account the existence of, and justification for, seasonal variations in service schedules.