Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Haselhurst Excerpts
Thursday 11th June 2015

(8 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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My right hon. Friend the Chancellor said what I would say as well—that we are always looking at ways to improve the franchising system and the service for passengers. I very much hope that new rolling stock will be announced for that particular line in the not too distant future.

Lord Haselhurst Portrait Sir Alan Haselhurst (Saffron Walden) (Con)
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What level of assurance can my right hon. Friend give to my constituents who most frequently use the Great Eastern and West Anglia lines that the outcome of the Greater Anglia franchising process will lead to new rolling stock?

Claire Perry Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Claire Perry)
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I congratulate my right hon. Friend and his colleagues, my hon. Friends the Members for Hertford and Stortford (Mr Prisk), for Norwich North (Chloe Smith), for Ipswich (Ben Gummer) and for Chelmsford (Mr Burns), and my right hon. Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel), on leaving us in no doubt of the importance of upgraded, improved rolling stock on that franchise. We are looking at all rolling stock options as part of the process and high quality points will be awarded for proposals to upgrade the franchise. The invitation to tender will be provided to bidders in August of this year.