Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they keep archive records of all train operating company franchise agreements since privatisation; and if so, what is the archive and disposal policy for privatised railway related documents.

The Department for Transport does keep archive records of all train operating company franchise agreements since 1994, and subsequent rail contracts.

The Department adheres to the legislative guidance for retention and archive of documentations as specified under the Public Records Act 1958 (as amended by the Public Records Act 1967) and section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 published in 2009.

Other legislation relating to public records which Public Authorities adhere to can be accessed at the National Archives website.