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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Hugh Bayley (Labour), on Monday, 13 January 1997, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 58 members in total.

FRANCHISING OF REGIONAL RAILWAYS NORTH EAST

That this House expresses grave concern that one of the companies bidding for the Regional Railways North East franchise based its tender on financial data which were not made available to other bidders; recognises that the rules for rail franchising are intended to provide a level playing field for bidders and best value for money for the taxpayer; fears that the violation of these rules may cost the taxpayer millions of pounds in unnecessary subsidy if the franchising process is allowed to proceed; and calls on the Secretary of State to suspend the franchising process for Regional Railways North East immediately and to allow all applicants to re-tender on the basis of the same financial information.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

FRANCHISING OF REGIONAL RAILWAYS NORTH EAST (379A1)
The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by John Greenway (primary, Conservative) and tabled on Tuesday, 14 January 1997. It has been signed by 1 members in total.
leave out from `House' to end and add `welcomes the reassurance given by the Director General of the Office of Rail Passenger Franchising, Mr John O'Brien, that all the bids submitted for the Regional Railway North East franchises have been assessed on an equal footing and that no bidder has been given or will receive any advantage from information which might not have been available to other bidders; notes that in the recent BBC2 Close Up North television programme the Franchise Director's impartiality and even-handedness was applauded by representatives of companies involved in submitting bids for rail franchises; recognises that it is not for this House to express a preference for any short-listed bids; notes that there is a widely-held view amongst business and community leaders in York that a successful award of the RRNE franchise to the York-based management team would be likely to retain more rail jobs in York than otherwise; expresses surprise that the honourable Member for York should seek to undermine the management team's bid; and calls upon the Franchise Director to conclude the RRNE franchise award within the agreed timetable so as to bring the benefits of rail privatisation to local rail passengers in Yorkshire-The North East.'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
379 
379A1 
Session
1996-97
Subjects
Contracts for services Privatisation Regional Railways North East
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk