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McInnes attacks flawed handling of Scotrail franchise

December 8, 2008 12:24 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes criticised the First Minister for the SNP Government's flawed handling of the Scotrail franchise extension.

The extension of the franchise is worth £800 million of taxpayers' money and is the largest contract ever awarded by the Government. A recent Audit Scotland report found that at no point prior to awarding the contract was the Transport Minister presented with a documented business case for the extension.

Commenting after First Minister's Questions, Mrs McInnes said:

"The First Minister completely failed to answer my question.

"It beggars belief that the Transport Minister can commit £800 million of taxpayers money to First Scotrail without ever seeing a documented business case. How can he be trusted to take the right decision about our vital transport links if this is the case?

"This was the largest contract ever given out by the Government. The recent Audit Scotland report into the matter backs up my concerns that this decision was not properly supported.

"Parliament must be allowed to scrutinise the Minister's proposals before any further decisions are taken."

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