§ 36. Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what response he has given to proposals from train franchisees to acquire and run vertically integrated operations. [21593]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have not responded to any specific proposals.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance his Department gave to the Strategic Rail Authority on the renewal of rail passenger franchises in(a) September 1999 and (b) July 2001; what plans there are to make any amendments to this guidance; and if he will make a statement. [23511]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Secretary of State's Instructions and Guidance to the Franchising Director, issued on 29 September 1999, addressed this issue. A revised approach was set out in the draft Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority and the draft Statement of Policy on Passenger Rail Franchising issued for consultation on 29 June and 16 July respectively.
The consultation responses received on the draft Franchising Policy statement are being considered and a revised version will be published very shortly.
§ 37. Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the rail franchise renewal process. [21594]
§ Mr. JamiesonA revised approach to franchising was set out in the draft Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority and the draft Statement of Policy on Passenger Rail Franchising issued for consultation on 29 June and 16 July respectively. The responses received are under consideration.
The Strategic Rail Authority's franchising programme will be reviewed in the light of this. An announcement will be made in due course.