Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to make a decision on the future shape and boundaries of the Wales and Borders rail franchise.

In November 2014, the UK Government announced that it had agreed in principle to fully devolve to Welsh Ministers executive rail franchising functions to enable the Welsh Government to lead on the procurement, management and enforcement of the next Wales and Borders franchise. The scope of services which it will be possible for the Welsh Ministers to in future specify for operation by a franchisee has yet to be agreed, though it is anticipated that the devolved passenger rail services will differ in scope from the current Arriva Trains Wales franchise. The Department for Transport and the Welsh Government are working together with an aim to reach final agreement by the end of 2015 on all matters connected with the transfer of executive rail franchising functions and commence the Parliamentary process on the necessary legislation as soon as practicable thereafter.