Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Evans Excerpts
Thursday 23rd June 2011

(13 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Hammond of Runnymede Portrait Mr Hammond
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The call for evidence has gone to stakeholders in and around the company and the air traffic sector. We asked what the implications would be of selling all, part or none of our shareholding. We are open-minded and conscious of the fact that there could be strategic implications, and we want to understand from the people who work in the industry what those strategic implications might be before making any decision.

Chris Evans Portrait Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)
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9. What recent discussions he has had with FirstGroup on the future of the First Great Western rail franchise; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Baker Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Norman Baker)
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Department for Transport Ministers and officials meet franchised train operators and their owners regularly. These discussions have included the decision which has been announced by First Great Western to exit the franchise in March 2013.

Chris Evans Portrait Chris Evans
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On the electrification of the Great Western line, what action is being taken to ensure that the new franchisee works with Network Rail so that there is minimum customer disruption during that period?