House of Commons Transport Committee

[West Coast rail franchise]
_______________________________________________________________

date 5 October 2012
source House of Commons Transport Committee
type Letter

Transport Committee
House of Commons
7 Millbank London SW1P 3JA

Tel 020 7219 6263 Fax 020 7219 0909
Email transcom@parliament.uk Website www.parliament.uk/transcom

From Mrs Louise Ellman MP, Chair

Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP
Secretary of State for Transport
Great Minister House [[Great Minster House]]
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 3JA

5 October 2012

Dear Patrick,

I am writing in advance of your appearance before the Transport Committee on 31 October to find out some further details about the reviews which you have commissioned in the light of the cancellation of the competition for the West Coast Main Line franchise.

Firstly, could you provide us with the terms of reference for the "independent review" to be overseen by Sam Laidlaw and Ed Smith; the date by which they have been asked to report; details of the "independent advisers" who will conduct the review; and details of who in the department the report will be made to. The department's announcement of the review referred to an "initial" report being prepared by the end of the month. Could you explain what further work beyond this report is expected or planned?

I would be grateful if you could confirm that the report of the Laidlaw-Smith review will be publicly available before your appearance before the Committee on 31 October.

There have been press reports that three DfT staff have been suspended as a result of the cancellation of the West Coast Main Line franchise competition. Could you confirm this, say at what grade the suspended staff are employed, confirm their tasks and role with respect to the WCML franchise and confirm what reporting arrangements operated between them and the relevant ministers?

Turning to the second independent review I would be grateful if you could provide us with terms of reference; the date by which a report has been requested; details of who is working on the review and how independence from the department will be achieved; who in the department the review will report to; and an assurance that the outcome of the review will be made publicly available.

Finally, could you let us know whether the problems raised with the West Coast Main Line franchise and subsequent suspension of staff are likely to have ramifications for other aspects of your department's work, particularly conclusion of the Thameslink rolling stock procurement. What are the reasons for the delay in completing the Thamelink rolling stock procurement and when do you expect this to be concluded?

Louise Ellman MP
Chair of the Committee

020 7219 1252

Railhub Archive ::: 2012-10-05 TCO-001