To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what steps he is taking to prevent service disruption on the East Coast Main Line prior to the anticipated default by National Express. (288053)

The Government have established a publicly owned company, which will take over the management of the franchise when National Express East Coast ceases to operate. The Department for Transport is working with National Express to ensure and orderly handover of operations.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the statement of 1 July 2009, Official Report, columns 424-26, on National Express east coast franchise, what assessment he has made of the effect on his Department’s budget for rail Control Period Four, 2009-14, of changes to the National Express east coast franchise. (288189)

The Department for Transport has sufficient budget cover to fund any shortfall for the operation of services on the East Coast Main Line at the point that National Express East Coast ceases to operate under their current franchise agreement. The Government intend to re-let the franchise in due course; the requirement for public support thereafter will depend upon the terms of the winning bid awarded by a competitive process.