Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what criteria he used to decide whether or not to extend Transport for London's remit to cover the London suburban rail network; and if he will make a statement.

The Mayor of London presented a business case for the devolution of suburban London services on the South Eastern franchise. This was scrutinised by Departmental and Treasury officials, analysing the costs and benefits of the proposal including the impact on the South Eastern franchise and the forthcoming competition.