Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the continuation of the Travelling Chef service on intercity services between Cardiff, Bristol and Plymouth and London Paddington, and the restaurant car service on some Plymouth to London services, will be a requirement of any extended rail passenger franchise.

Catering provision is not specified in the current Great Western franchise agreement, and it is not currently expected that catering will be specified in the next Great Western franchise.

However, the franchisee will be encouraged to set out proposals which are designed to meet the needs of passengers, and deliver the franchise objectives for customer service and train and station services.