Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what due diligence his Department has undertaken on the shortlisted bidders for the West Coast Partnership rail franchise to ensure that (a) the board and (b) investors agree on that company’s willingness to take risk.

The Department does not comment on live competitions. Please note that all bids received for any franchise competition are evaluated against the requirements and instructions set out in the relevant procurement documentation.