Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Lilian Greenwood Excerpts
Thursday 10th July 2014

(9 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond
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I thank my hon. Friend for his campaign on behalf of his constituents. Not only will I speak to East Midlands Trains about the issue, to ensure that his point is heard, but I am sure that he will want to catch me later to stress the point further.

Lilian Greenwood Portrait Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)
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The Government’s consultation on rail services in the north proposes a number of route level changes to TransPennine Express, but is silent on Ministers’ plans for Northern Rail, even though it is clear that wide-ranging changes are envisaged. Will the Minister come clean with passengers, rule out a backroom deal and let people know what is planned for their area?

Stephen Hammond Portrait Stephen Hammond
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There is a live consultation on Northern and TransPennine at the moment, which invites views across the region on a number of proposals, including the remapping of some franchise services between the two franchises. It involves both Northern and TransPennine, and I should stress that it is a consultation, which does not finish until mid August. When it does so, we will consider all those responses. There is no question of any backroom deal.