To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) of 3 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1135-6W, on public transport, what meetings his Department has had on the development of the consultation on an integrated ticketing strategy in England since the date of that Answer. (279464)

The Department for Transport has met a number of key stakeholders since 3 February 2009. These include the devolved Administrations, local transport authorities, the Local Government Association, the Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers, independent transport consultants, ticket machine and smart ticketing manufacturers, credit card and payment companies, other Government Departments and a delegation from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Transport and Tourism. The Department has also presented the emerging findings of the strategy work at meetings of the Transport Card Forum and the Transport Group.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) of 3 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1135-6W, on public transport, when he expects the consultation paper on an integrated ticketing strategy for England to be published. (279465)

The consultation paper will be published shortly, subject to gaining the necessary approvals for such a cross-cutting policy area.