asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received about the desirability of including a Brighton to Milton Keynes passenger rail service in the new Southern franchise; and whether such a service would benefit passengers on that route. [HL4370]

The Department for Transport is currently carrying out consultation on the specific elements of the new South Central franchise. This consultation closes on 14 August. We have already received some responses regarding stakeholder aspirations for services between Brighton and Milton Keynes. No final decisions have been made as yet.

Neither the Brighton Main Line nor the south London route utilisation strategies recommended that the West London line service should operate south of Croydon.