FUTURE OF THE EAST COAST RAIL LINE

That this House notes that National Express is likely to give up the franchise for the East Coast Rail Line later this year and that the franchise is to be taken over by the Government; welcomes the assurance from the Secretary of State for Transport that there will be no disruption in services whilst the Government seeks a new franchise holder; expresses its concern, however, on the future of the service, particularly north of Edinburgh; and calls on the Government to give an assurance that any new franchisee will be obliged to maintain at least the current number of trains and frequency of service on the whole of the line.