Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many officials in his Department were involved in the design of the rail passenger franchise directly awarded to West Coast Trains Ltd.

The core InterCity West Coast Direct Award Team numbered four officials, some of whom spent part of their time on other projects. The core team was supported by finance, legal, technical and economic specialists and received input from officials across the Department for Transport's Rail Executive and wider Department where appropriate.