Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Departmental press notice entitled Government takes over running of LSER services in response to over £25 million breach of franchise agreement, published 28 September, if his Department has plans to investigate other Railway operators on the uses of historic taxpayer funding.

The issues identified are highly unusual and specific to the London and South Eastern Railway (LSER) franchise, they represent a significant breach of the good faith obligation within the franchise agreement and this is why the Department has acted swiftly and decisively to protect taxpayer interests and recover the money owed. At this stage, given the issues are unique to the LSER contract, I have no reason to believe this activity is part of wider-industry practice. The Department will undertake a rigorous examination and review of all the evidence provided, to consider whether further action or investigation is required.