Debates between Lord McLoughlin and Tony Lloyd during the 2010-2015 Parliament

West Coast Main Line

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and Tony Lloyd
Monday 15th October 2012

(12 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
- Hansard - -

I thank my hon. Friend for his kind words. The truth is that both parties have agreed in the past that franchising is the proper way to go and gets better returns for the taxpayer. This particular episode is not acceptable and we need to learn the lessons from it. I am determined to do that.

Tony Lloyd Portrait Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Does the Secretary of State not agree with the many people who use the line that a public sector interim arrangement would have been preferable as it would have given him control over pricing and quality? Will he explain how he will guarantee those things in the interim period?