To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what performance levels were achieved by First Great Western for the Portsmouth to Cardiff rail service in each year from 1997; what plans she has to review the operation of this franchise; and if she will make a statement. (177350)

I refer the hon. Member to the written statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 26 February 2008, Official Report, columns 73-4WS.

In the year to 10 November 2007, the figures published by Network Rail show that FGW achieved an average punctuality of 82.3 per cent. across the franchise as a whole and 79.6 per cent. during the preceding four week period. The Department for Transport does not have historic records on the performance of trains on the Portsmouth to Cardiff route separately.