asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 4 July (WA 181), how many stations in the new East Midland franchise will not have either booking facilities which are available to passengers or ticket vending machines that work in place by 11 November 2007; and what timetable has been agreed for these facilities to be available in future. [HL4809]

On 11 November 2007, there will be 87 stations operated by the new East Midlands franchise. Eleven will have booking offices and ticket vending machines and another 14 will have booking offices. Sixty-two stations will have no ticket issuing facilities. However, 90 per cent of all tickets issued for journeys beginning at stations in the East Midlands franchise begin at stations already having booking facilities.

There will be 45 additional machines within two years of the start date, 20 further installations within three years, and eight more by the end of the franchise.