§ 40. Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of train operating companies which ran services which performed with worse punctuality in the last quarter of 1997 than in the same period of 1996. [30662]
§ 49. Mrs. Betty WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of train operating companies which ran services which performed with worse punctuality in the last quarter of 1997 than in the same period of 1996. [30671]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Dartford (Mr. Stoate) and for Tamworth (Mr. Jenkins) on 3 February 1998,Official Report, column 629. I would add that the comparative figures given in these answers were for twelve-month periods to the end of 1997 and to the end of 1996 as published in the Franchising Director's latest Quarterly Bulletin. Performance within the Autumn Quarter 1997 was poorer in relation to Autumn Quarter 1996. The Franchising Director expressed his concerns and disappointment with performance levels generally and is looking to Train Operating Companies and Railtrack to work together to achieve improvement.