§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the guarantees within the franchise agreements to the train operating companies with regard to the Rail Regulator; [62299]
(2) if he will make a statement on the protection within franchise agreements for the train operating companies with regard to (a) discriminatory changes in law and (b) Railtrack non-performance; and whose responsibility it is to enforce such protection. [62300]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 17 June 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 742W. In replacement franchises there is a similar provision in relation to changes of law. There are no generic provisions relating to Railtrack's performance.
Responsibility for awarding and managing franchises rests with the Strategic Rail Authority.
512W