Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish a (a) draft licence for Great British Railways and (b) consultation on the licence terms.

Under the 1993 Railways Act, the Department is required to publish and consult on a draft licence, and this will not change with the Railways Bill. We intend to consult on the draft GBR licence during the Bill Passage. This will give interested parties the opportunity to share their views on the proposed contents. Further details will be made available in due course.