Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Emma Reynolds Excerpts
Thursday 22nd July 2010

(14 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Theresa Villiers Portrait Mrs Villiers
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My hon. Friend will appreciate that it would not be wise for me to start making timetabling decisions at the Dispatch Box. However, we are determined that the franchising reform, on which we will consult in the next few weeks, will deliver improvements for passengers, improve train operators’ ability to respond flexibly to increases in passenger demand on particular routes and help deliver the private sector investment to provide vital enhancements to our railways.

Emma Reynolds Portrait Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab)
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Given that current legislation prevents organisations and companies that do not yet run rail franchises from bidding for them, will the Government consider changing it in their review to allow mutuals and co-operatives to bid for future franchises?

Theresa Villiers Portrait Mrs Villiers
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I think that that question has been dealt with already. If mutuals and co-operatives can satisfy the requirements of the franchising process, they will be permitted to bid.