Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Jones Excerpts

Thursday 25th April 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Burns]

As the hon. Gentleman will know, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said last October that the Government are investigating whether there should be a phase 3 for High Speed 2, from Leeds and Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh. We look forward to the hon. Gentleman and his hon. Friends supporting us as we put forward the proposals and the legislation for establishing High Speed 2, which will bring so much benefit not only to England, but to Scotland and Wales.

[Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)]

The private sector has a record of significant investment and innovation in our railways and of growing the numbers of people using them. When does the Minister expect the east coast main line to return to the private sector?

[Mr Burns]

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in his statement to the House on 26 March, the east coast main line will return to a franchise operation.