To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he or officials in his Department have met representatives of FirstGroup to discuss granting that company an extension to its Great Western rail franchise.

[133727]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he or officials in his Department have met representatives of FirstGroup to discuss granting that company an extension to its Great Western rail franchise.

[133727]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to extend the Great Western franchise with First Group without a franchise competition; and if he will make a statement.

[133737]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to extend the Great Western franchise with First Group without a franchise competition; and if he will make a statement.

[133737]

I understand the hon. Gentleman making an important point about his constituency, but faster trains to London were part of the attractiveness of the changes that were made. Where most passengers got on was important in making those decisions, and I am sorry that that disappointed the hon. Gentleman. I...

I understand the hon. Gentleman making an important point about his constituency, but faster trains to London were part of the attractiveness of the changes that were made. Where most passengers got on was important in making those decisions, and I am sorry that that disappointed the hon. Gentleman. I...

The hon. Gentleman’s experience as a former Minister is valuable, and on many occasions he has referred to the substantial public investment in the west coast main line. Is it not that investment itself that makes it important for the Government to go for the bid that gives the maximum...

The hon. Gentleman’s experience as a former Minister is valuable, and on many occasions he has referred to the substantial public investment in the west coast main line. Is it not that investment itself that makes it important for the Government to go for the bid that gives the maximum...

If the Government go for a bid that says it will give the maximum return but it does not stack up, that is a problem. I am glad that the hon. Gentleman made the point about the massive amount of public investment that took place under a Labour Government; it...

If the Government go for a bid that says it will give the maximum return but it does not stack up, that is a problem. I am glad that the hon. Gentleman made the point about the massive amount of public investment that took place under a Labour Government; it...

On borrowed money.

On borrowed money.

Most of the problems with the west coast main line were due to the lack of investment during the 18 years of the previous Conservative Government, so if the hon. Gentleman wants to get into a political argument I am happy to do so.

Most of the problems with the west coast main line were due to the lack of investment during the 18 years of the previous Conservative Government, so if the hon. Gentleman wants to get into a political argument I am happy to do so.

My hon. Friend is making some excellent points. Does he agree that there are a lack of effective penalties in this contract? If the return to the taxpayer is back-loaded, there is no guarantee that the investment required on this vital line will take place in the way envisaged by...

My hon. Friend is making some excellent points. Does he agree that there are a lack of effective penalties in this contract? If the return to the taxpayer is back-loaded, there is no guarantee that the investment required on this vital line will take place in the way envisaged by...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right and we need to know. The Minister is probably getting the answer as we speak, which I hope he will be able to give us later.

I am concentrating on what this issue means to the passenger and the taxpayer. For the passengers in my...

My hon. Friend is absolutely right and we need to know. The Minister is probably getting the answer as we speak, which I hope he will be able to give us later.

I am concentrating on what this issue means to the passenger and the taxpayer. For the passengers in my...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Bone.

I would like to speak about the importance of the rail connection to my constituency of Rugby. I am pleased to see the Minister in his place. He will recall, in his former role, standing on a drafty Rugby station...

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Bone.

I would like to speak about the importance of the rail connection to my constituency of Rugby. I am pleased to see the Minister in his place. He will recall, in his former role, standing on a drafty Rugby station...

It is also the duty and responsibility of the Ministry of Defence to get value for money for contracts, but as we know that often does not occur. So what people want to achieve and what is actually achieved can be two different things. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that...

It is also the duty and responsibility of the Ministry of Defence to get value for money for contracts, but as we know that often does not occur. So what people want to achieve and what is actually achieved can be two different things. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that...

I will come on to the First bid, including questions that other hon. Members and I have put to it about the accuracy of its bid and where its bid stands. I am not sure that making comparisons with other Departments in this debate is helpful, Mr Bone. We need...

I will come on to the First bid, including questions that other hon. Members and I have put to it about the accuracy of its bid and where its bid stands. I am not sure that making comparisons with other Departments in this debate is helpful, Mr Bone. We need...

As a Birmingham MP I use that train, although, to make a declaration of interest, I came down on the Chiltern line. Does my hon. Friend agree that consideration should be given to whether closing down one competitor may reduce the competitive nature of tendering in future and increase aggregate...

As a Birmingham MP I use that train, although, to make a declaration of interest, I came down on the Chiltern line. Does my hon. Friend agree that consideration should be given to whether closing down one competitor may reduce the competitive nature of tendering in future and increase aggregate...

I am about to talk about my own business experience in tendering. Clearly, the more tenderers available in the tender process, the greater the competition and the better chance of getting the best deal.

The First bid is worth more. I have run a business and, on occasions, have missed out...

I am about to talk about my own business experience in tendering. Clearly, the more tenderers available in the tender process, the greater the competition and the better chance of getting the best deal.

The First bid is worth more. I have run a business and, on occasions, have missed out...

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper) on securing this important debate. As a number of hon. Members have said in interventions, we have not had the opportunity to discuss this matter since the announcement was made. That is regrettable. I pay tribute to Labour...

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper) on securing this important debate. As a number of hon. Members have said in interventions, we have not had the opportunity to discuss this matter since the announcement was made. That is regrettable. I pay tribute to Labour...

Did the hon. Gentleman raise his concerns directly with the Government when the draft invitation to tender was published, or did he wait until after that process was complete?

Did the hon. Gentleman raise his concerns directly with the Government when the draft invitation to tender was published, or did he wait until after that process was complete?

Just to help the hon. Gentleman, I have been raising rail issues for many years. I am the son of a railway man. Yes, I have raised it with Conservative/Liberal Democrat and Labour Ministers.

As for the process, what was clear from my meetings with the potential bidders was that they...

Just to help the hon. Gentleman, I have been raising rail issues for many years. I am the son of a railway man. Yes, I have raised it with Conservative/Liberal Democrat and Labour Ministers.

As for the process, what was clear from my meetings with the potential bidders was that they...

I take on board my hon. Friend’s point about Chester, but does he agree that still more needs to be done with the direct link to Wrexham, Gobowen and so forth? That was not put in the tender, but the current situation is unacceptable and, when we consider the Wrexham...

I take on board my hon. Friend’s point about Chester, but does he agree that still more needs to be done with the direct link to Wrexham, Gobowen and so forth? That was not put in the tender, but the current situation is unacceptable and, when we consider the Wrexham...