§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Franchising Director plans to publish his criteria for the appraisal of passenger railway services. [14616]
§ Dr. StrangThe Franchising Director has today published "Appraisal of Support for Passenger Rail Services—Planning Criteria: An Interim Guide", which sets out the basis on which he intends to appraise the costs and benefits of new passenger rail investment and changes in service levels. I have approved these criteria on an interim basis, and instructed the Franchising Director to 281W keep them under review, revising the criteria as necessary in the light of the wider review of economic appraisal being undertaken as part of the Government's integrated transport strategy. Copies of the criteria have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.