asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there would be any alterations to the subsidies to be paid to Virgin Trains in 2007–08 and 2008–09 for operating services under the West Coast Main Line franchise were they to extend services to and from Wrexham. [HL2330]

If the Department for Transport (DfT) were to propose a change to extend West Coast Trains services to and from Wrexham then it is likely to generate an increase in subsidy to the train operator. There are currently no plans for DfT to initiate such a change. However, from December 2008, West Coast Trains is planning to operate an additional 0705 Wrexham General to Chester and 2020 Chester to Wrexham General service as a commercial proposition.