West Coast Main Line Debate

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Department: Department for Transport
Monday 15th October 2012

(11 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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I can give my hon. Friend that assurance.

William Bain Portrait Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab)
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The west coast main line matters hugely to the Glasgow and Scottish economies, but so does value for money for the taxpayer. Can the Secretary of State identify any previous franchising process that was not subject to external audit, and is it not the case that a decision made by his Department to save hundreds of thousands of pounds has ended up costing the taxpayer tens of millions of pounds?

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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The hon. Gentleman is seeking to prejudge the two inquiries I have set up, which is something I am not prepared to do.