Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Johnson of Marylebone and Gavin Newlands

Thursday 5th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

T5. The east coast franchise is now run with the part publicly-owned London North Eastern Railway, and it is a major transport operation in Scotland. Despite that, the UK Government have not allowed any Scottish Government representation on the board. Will the Secretary of State rethink that, and commit to ensuring that the Scottish Government are represented on that vital piece of infrastructure?

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Joseph Johnson)]

The London North Eastern Railway started operations on 24 June. We are in the process of establishing the east coast partnership board, and we will ensure independent representation on that board. We are in consultation with stakeholders across the length and breadth of the line to ensure that their views are taken into account in the management of that new operation.