§ Mr. WhiteheadTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the regulation of the performance of South West Trains; if the regulatory regime is operating according to the undertakings given upon the privatisation of South West Trains; and if he will make a statement. [842]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAlthough South West Trains' performance has now been restored to an acceptable standard, it is the Government's view that their passengers received unacceptable service for some months earlier this year, and such problems must not recur. We believe that the tools presently available to regulators are inadequate and have already begun to seek ways of strengthening them in the interests of passengers. We have asked the Franchising Director to review his existing enforcement powers, and we will consider how these should be strengthened or how we might otherwise tighten the regulation of franchise agreements.