West Coast Rail Franchise — [Mr Graham Brady in the Chair]

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 2:30 pm on 14 June 2016.

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Photo of David Mowat David Mowat Conservative, Warrington South 2:30, 14 June 2016

I congratulate my hon. Friend on leading the charge on this issue. The things he has listed are best addressed if there is proper competition in the franchise process. Does he agree with me and the National Audit Office that unless the Government get at least three or four participants in the bidding process there will be a risk of inadequate competition? Does he also agree that, although Virgin has given an adequate service—in some ways, a good one —the Government must ensure that it does not have too big an incumbency advantage in the bidding process?