To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the regulations and guidance on the quality contracts provisions of the Local Transport Act 2008 will come into force; and how many officials in his Department are exclusively or primarily working on preparation of guidance and regulations under the Act. (248623)

We intend to consult on the draft regulations and guidance for the quality contracts provisions of the Local Transport Act 2008 in spring 2009, with a view to the provisions coming into force in autumn 2009.

There are many officials contributing to the work on the guidance and regulations associated with the Act, of whom two are working primarily on the quality contracts provisions.