I hold regular discussions with the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales on rail services in Wales, including the new Wales and Borders franchise. I have also met with the Director of Keolis this week, who have recently taken over the running of the train service in Wales.<\/p>
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The devolution of the Franchise is an example of effective co-operation between the Welsh and UK Governments.<\/p>
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It is vital that Transport for Wales resolves the service issues affecting the Franchise as soon as possible.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4057", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nigel Adams"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Selby and Ainsty"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nigel Adams"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-05T17:30:25.3Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "28"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Wales"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wales and Borders Rail Franchise"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on Transport for Wales\u2019s management of the Wales and Borders rail franchise.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4458", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Conor McGinn"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "St Helens North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Conor McGinn"} ], "uin" : "907945"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834654", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834654/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It is the responsibility of the Welsh Government to procure the Wales and Borders rail franchise. However, should these circumstances arise, an extension of the existing Franchise Agreement could be called for seven railway periods (i.e. 28 weeks). There is also the potential to negotiate an extension of up to 65 railway periods with the existing franchisee, as well as the Department having the standard Railways Act Operator of Last Resort powers.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4039", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Orpington"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Joseph Johnson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-06T10:48:34.783Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wales and Borders Rail Franchise"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what arrangements are in place for the collapse of the procurement of the Wales and Borders rail franchise should the franchise not be awarded within the allocated time frame.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3943", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Edwards"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carmarthen East and Dinefwr"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Edwards"} ], "uin" : "126102"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834662", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834662/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
This draft Transfer of Functions Order is due to be laid before Parliament imminently. Subject to its approval, it is expected that the Order will come into force prior to the commencement of the replacement Wales and Borders franchise in October 2018.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4039", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Orpington"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Joseph Johnson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-06T11:03:13.303Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wales and Borders Rail Franchise"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the transfer of functions order relating to the Wales and Borders rail franchise to be laid before Parliament.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3943", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Edwards"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carmarthen East and Dinefwr"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Edwards"} ], "uin" : "126110"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834663", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834663/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Silk Commission report highlighted the need for co-operation on the future of the English parts of the Wales and Borders rail franchise. Since reaching agreement in principle to devolve the franchise in November 2014, both Governments have been working collaboratively to give effect to the formal transfer of powers, which has required resolution of a number of detailed policy and practical considerations around cross-border and English services.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4039", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Johnson of Marylebone"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Orpington"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Joseph Johnson"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-06T11:12:20.07Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wales and Borders Rail Franchise"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the reasons are for the time taken to transfer functions over the Wales and Borders rail franchise to the National Assembly for Wales.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3943", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jonathan Edwards"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Carmarthen East and Dinefwr"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jonathan Edwards"} ], "uin" : "126111"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834664", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/834664/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Agency Agreement No.2 (Schedule 1, paragraphs 6 to 8) between the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers signed on 28th September 2017 makes clear that any such costs would usually be the responsibility of Welsh Ministers, and the exceptional circumstances when this would not be the case.<\/p>