Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Transport has the capacity to restrict or ban (1) companies, (2) individuals, and (3) associates, from bidding for rail franchises.

The Department for Transport may suspend or withdraw a Passport in the event that the Passport holder, a member of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the Passport Holder triggers certain requirements within the Passport application. This would restrict or remove The Passport Holder from the bidding for Franchise competitions. The details of the Passport process are set out in the Department’s published documentation, Rail Franchising: Passport Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, a copy of which is attached and will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses (sections B and C pages 13-26 are most relevant).