§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the refranchising of South West Trains to Stagecoach was agreed by the SRA; and when it is planned to sign the franchise agreement. [7994]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Strategic Rail Authority signed Head of Terms with Stagecoach as the preferred counterparty for the replacement South West Trains franchise on 30 March 2001. The parties are working towards signature of a franchise agreement and an announcement will be made in due course.