Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 22 May (HL15602), whether they would drop a stated qualifying condition for a bidder for the West Coast Partnership rail franchise without informing other registered bidders; and if not, why they cannot answer the question put on the grounds of it being a live competition.

The Department evaluates tenders for the West Coast Partnership in accordance with the processes set out in the Invitation to Tender. This is done to ensure the Department meets its obligations to treat all bidders fairly and equally. The Department does not comment on live competitions in compliance with its contractual and legal obligations.