MP Anne McIntosh has criticised the Government for giving a "nonsensical" explanation about the reason why GNER was not awarded a 20-year franchise to operate the East Coast Main Line.

The Vale of York MP tabled a written Parliamentary question which asked why Transport Ministers had rejected the Strategic Rail Authority's advice that GNER should be given the long-term deal.

Outgoing SRA chairman Sir Alistair Morton decided at an early stage that GNER's bid should be chosen ahead of the rival bid from Virgin and did not change his mind.

But in July this year Transport Secretary Stephen Byers deferred making a decision - instead extending GNER's existing contract by only two years to 2005.

Ms McIntosh said she had tabled a question in Parliament because - four months on - she was still awaiting a proper explanation from the Govern-ment.

She pointed out that the answer, which was given by Transport Minister David Jamieson this week, did not mention GNER once.

It reads: "The SRA may only award a franchise to a person who has submitted a tender under Section 26 of the Railways Act 1993 unless the Secretary of State otherwise directs.

"Such a direction is required if the SRA plans to replace a franchise before its expiry.

"When considering whether to grant a direction, the Secretary of State has to decide whether the benefits offered outweigh the desirability of a franchise being subject to the tendering process under Sections 26 to 26C.

"The Secretary of State did not give a direction in relation to the Inter City East Coast franchise.

"He noted that better terms were more likely to be achieved nearer the expiry of the current franchise when the infrastructure upgrade for the East Coast Main Line would be better defined."

Ms McIntosh said: "What does all this mean? If I cannot understand the answer as an MP, there is little chance my constituents will be able to do so.

"I asked a simple question about what is a very important subject. What I expected in return was a simple answer.

"The answer given by the Minister does not make sense."

The decision to not award GNER a long-term franchise is expected to have a significant knock-on effect for passengers.

The train operator has warned it will be unable to buy any new trains to run on the line because it would be unable to get finance for the rolling stock.

This is because train suppliers only get paid when a train goes into service - not when it is ordered. As a result they will not provide trains for GNER because they do not know if the company will be the one to put the train into use.

Updated: 12:21 Wednesday, November 28, 2001