Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 1:45 pm on 22 November 2017.
Cabinet Secretary, isn't the real reason that Arriva pulled out because there are too many unknowns with this franchise? It's difficult for us to form a judgment of that because, of course, the Welsh Government has departed from the standard practice of actually publishing the invitation tender, but we do know, of course, that there are unknowns about the exact nature of the devolution of power and responsibility, and uncertainty about the finances of the franchise. We know that because there was a letter from the Secretary of State for Transport of the UK Government to you. Now, can we have at least some clarity on some of those issues that were raised? Can you say who will take the section 30 operator and last resort responsibility? Have you reached agreement with the UK Government on franchise funding of £1 billion that you asked for, which you said would be used for upgrading? Do you have detailed survey information from Network Rail of the track infrastructure for which you're about to assume responsibility?