West Coast Rail Franchise

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and James Duddridge

Thursday 6th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

Staffing is a matter for the permanent secretary, who received the Stow report, which dealt with human resources. The suspensions took place as a precautionary measure while the report was being produced. Obviously, consequences will flow from the permanent secretary receiving that report, and those will become public in due course.

[James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con)]

I congratulate the Secretary of State on the decision on the west coast main line, but has he considered the Essex Thameside franchise and whether C2C should be given a similar concession?

West Coast Main Line

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and James Duddridge

Monday 15th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I have not suspended the three other franchises; I have put them on hold, which is quite an important differential. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his compliments. I am always cautious about compliments coming from the Opposition Benches, but who knows?

As I have said, the three franchises have not been stopped. They have been put on hold, and I hope very much that we can return to operate and lease them once we have learnt the lessons of the Brown report. I do not think that there is any need to contemplate using DOR on those services.

[James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con)]

When the Essex Thameside franchise comes off hold, will the Secretary of State look again at the possibility of mandating the quality of the rolling stock that will be used to ensure that it is as good as the quality of the rolling stock that is used now, or, indeed, even better?