Written question asked by Bernard Jenkin (Conservative) on Monday, 9 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 November 1998. It was answered by Glenda Jackson (Labour) on Thursday, 12 November 1998 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what is the Government's policy on the renegotiation of rail franchises; and if he will list the criteria by which franchise extensions will be granted or put out to open tender.

Answer: Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy on the renegotiation of rail franchises; and if he will list the criteria by which franchise extensions will be granted or put out to open tender. [59500] Ms Glenda Jackson: We are prepared to renegotiate franchises where this would provide additional benefits for passengers and represent good value for the taxpayer. Criteria will be published in due course. Following the objectives, Instructions and Guidance which we issued in November last year, the Franchising Director has already been able to negotiate additional passenger benefits arising, for example, from breaches of existing contracts and from changes of control.

Secondary information