asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Appendix 3 of the franchising agreement with First Great Western Trains specified the number of vehicles available at the start of the franchising period; and, if so, how such a specification is compatible with the Government's assurance that they do not micromanage the franchising process; and [HL4179]

How much rolling stock First Great Western Trains is currently using in excess of that which was contained in Appendix 3 of the franchising process; and [HL4180]

How they account for the difference between the amount of rolling stock specified in Appendix 3 of the franchising agreement with First Great Western Trains and the amount currently used; and [HL4181]

Whether, as a party to the franchising agreement for First Great Western Trains, they accept any responsibility for the level of service operated by the company following the introduction of the December 2006 timetable; and [HL4182]

Whether appendices applicable to the rail franchises about to be let and similar to Appendix 3 of the franchise agreement with First Great Western Trains contain an exact specification of the rolling stock available. [HL4183]

Appendix 3 of the franchise agreement lists the rolling stock available to operate the service at the start of the franchise. The list was created by the Department for Transport from the detailed First Group rolling stock plan constructed as part of its bid. First Great Western (FGW) is not allowed to reduce the fleet without the department's approval, although there is a mechanism by which it can increase it. FGW has increased the size of its fleet in response to operational needs, but details of the extra rolling stock are matters for FGW itself. Similarly, responsibility for delivering a service that meets the standards set in the franchise agreement is a matter for FGW.

A comparable appendix will be incorporated into the forthcoming West Midlands, east Midlands and new cross-country franchising agreements.