Rail Franchising

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and Mike Weir

Tuesday 26th March 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I know the hon. Gentleman was unable to attend my meeting with First Great Western because of other engagements. I am very keen to improve services, particularly in his part of the country. I am going there in a little while to look at those services first hand, and I will certainly pass on the representations he has made when I have discussions with First Great Western—and Network Rail, as both are involved.

[Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP)]

Can the Secretary of State give a cast-iron guarantee that any east coast main line franchisee will at the very least be obliged to retain the existing level of service north of Edinburgh through my constituency to Aberdeen?

[Mr McLoughlin]

That is something I need to talk to the Scottish Government about.

West Coast Rail Franchise

Debate between Lord McLoughlin and Mike Weir

Thursday 6th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr McLoughlin]

I had a meeting just the other day with some disabled people. They sang the praises of Virgin Trains as providing some of the best services to disabled people. I was pleased to be able to pass that message on to Sir Richard Branson when I met him yesterday.

[Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP)]

The Secretary of State said that the Brown report would look at the lessons learned for future rail franchises. Perhaps the biggest lesson is that the whole system is a shambles, but given that the report is due shortly, what process does he have in place for taking account of its lessons in the negotiations with Virgin for the franchise in the immediate future?

[Mr McLoughlin]

The truth is that what both Governments have recognised about franchising is that it has brought massive passenger growth on the railways and the railways have flourished since franchising has taken place. The hon. Gentleman asks me to say what implications the Brown report will have for franchising. I think I had better wait till I receive it before I answer.