Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for First MTR South Western Trains Limited of taking over the South Western rail franchise in August 2017 during upgrade works at London Waterloo station.

The current train operator, South West Trains, and Network Rail have developed a detailed plan for the works at London Waterloo, and are already making passengers aware of the associated changes to their services during this time. First MTR South Western Trains Limited have attended joint planning meetings for the works, and will continue to follow the agreed plan when they take over the franchise. First MTR South Western Trains Limited will have a mobilisation period of over four months to prepare for franchise commencement, and it is also expected that the majority of current staff will transfer into the new franchise.