Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Theresa Villiers and Peter Aldous

Thursday 28th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Villiers]

I can. I know that a long-running campaign has been conducted by a number of Members.

As the hon. Lady says, the system was introduced for the Ryder cup. We considered it important to meet the deadline, given the significance of the event. The temporary scheme has been withdrawn for the moment, but is due to be back in operation on Friday next week. That gives us a chance to do some more work in order to make it more efficient, but there will be further work to make it more efficient still. We hope to introduce a system in the new year that will not require PINs. The temporary system does require them, and that causes delays and adds to congestion.

[Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)]

2. What steps he is taking to ensure the economic sustainability of the rail network.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Theresa Villiers and Peter Aldous

Thursday 22nd July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)]

13. What progress has been made on the Government’s review of rail franchising; and if he will make a statement.

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mrs Theresa Villiers)]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave earlier.

[Peter Aldous]

Will the Minister confirm that the review of the Greater Anglia franchise will recognise the vital importance of the east Suffolk line from Ipswich to Lowestoft, and the need for both an hourly service along the whole line and the reintroduction of through trains to London, which are being withdrawn in December?

[Mrs Villiers]

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.