Railways: East Coast Rail Franchise

Baroness Quin Excerpts

Tuesday 28th October 2014 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Quin]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the rail unions regarding the future of the east coast rail franchise.

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Baroness Kramer) (LD)]

My Lords, levels of engagement with the rail unions have increased since the launch of the rail franchising programme in March 2013. On the intercity east coast franchise competition, this engagement has included a number of face-to-face meetings at official and ministerial level and correspondence covering most aspects of the competition.

[Baroness Quin (Lab)]

My Lords, while I am glad that such meetings have taken place, does the Minister appreciate that many of us who use the east coast rail service regularly are dismayed that the Government have refused to allow the current publicly owned operator—which has greatly improved the service, to the benefit of both passengers and UK taxpayers alike—even to bid for the franchise and to be able to continue to run a good service? Does it not seem odd that the Government allow foreign state-owned enterprises to run our rail services in part, yet refuse to allow a successful home-grown public enterprise to do so?