HC Deb 02 March 1998 vol 307 cc422-3W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to extend the length of the franchises for the existing rail operators. [31212]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Any requests for franchise extensions would be considered on their merits. As I told the House on 28 October 1997,Official Report, column 806, there would need to be very convincing arguments of public interest and value for money before the Government could justify the renegotiation of contracts which were freely entered into following a competitive process".

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