Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page 7 of Directly Operated Railways Annual Report and Accounts for 2014-15, for which 10 franchises Directly Operated Railways prepared contingency plans for a potential transfer; and when each such contingency plan was completed.

As stated in their Annual Report for 2014-15, Directly Operated Railways (DOR) have been working with the Department to support the rail franchising programme. In particular, they undertook contingency planning in respect of 10 franchises between autumn 2013 and autumn 2015. These were:

Great Western (DA1)*

Great Western (DA2)*

Northern

Greater Anglia

First Capital Connect

South Eastern

Trans Pennine Express

East Midlands Trains

London Midland

Cross Country

This contingency planning work was concluded or stopped at the point that franchise contracts were awarded to the relevant private sector company. Contingency planning started by DOR in respect of the Cross Country franchise will be taken forward by the Department in due course.

^{*there were two projects undertaken in respect of the Great Western Franchise as there were two separate franchise contracts awarded during the period.}