§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Rail Regulator concerning the cleanliness of trains on the West Coast Line; and if he will make a statement. [68001]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe cleanliness of trains if a matter for the Franchising Director rather than the Rail Regulator. Virgin is required under its franchise agreement to carry out regular customer satisfaction surveys. These measure satisfaction with, among other things, cleanliness of the trains. The latest available published figures (for the period to July 1998) show that the cleanliness level on Virgin Trains was at or above the agreed benchmarks.