Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 27 September (HL10350), what text is included in Avanti's National Rail Contract on the provision of catering in first class.

The provision of First-Class Catering is included in the Continuing Ancillary Services Document which sets out services that are required to be carried over from the previous Franchise Agreement. Clause 4.5 of the National Rail Contract states that the operator shall continue to provide any Continuing Ancillary Service and not vary the terms or stop providing without the Secretary of State’s prior approval.