All 1 Debates between Emma Reynolds and Lord McLoughlin

West Coast Main Line

Debate between Emma Reynolds and Lord McLoughlin
Monday 15th October 2012

(12 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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What I would like to say to my hon. Friend is yes and yes.

Emma Reynolds Portrait Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab)
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The Secretary of State is right to make this decision on the west coast main line, but it is unclear to me why his predecessor—who, after all, is an accountant by trade—did not hear the alarm bells ringing for quite some time. Will he reassure me that the review that he has announced today will consider that significant and unacceptable risks were being taken by allowing one of the bidders to backload most of the premium to the end of the franchise? Will he put in place measures to ensure that franchisees cannot simply walk away from a franchise before they make substantial payments?

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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My predecessor, like me, was given firm assurances at the Department that the competition was sound. That proved not to be the case. Once I knew and had the full facts, I made the statement that I made.