Thameslink

Mr. Pollard
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has (a) to ensure speedy commencement of the Thameslink re-franchising process and (b) to enable further investment in rolling stock to be made in the Bedford to Brighton service. [111401]

Mr. Jamieson
The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) currently plans to negotiate an extension of the existing franchise while the Thameslink 2000 programme is taken forward. A tendering process for the revised Thameslink 2000 franchise would follow. The SRA are reviewing rolling stock deployment and investment in the South East which could include Thameslink services.