Burns Lite on Cumbrian services

This from Captain Deltic...

There's nothing like a straight answer to a straight question.

This reply from Simon Burns on the 16th April...

John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 26 March 2013, Official Report, columns 1487-99, on rail franchising, if he will ensure that the franchise extensions for the TransPennine and Northern franchises will be negotiated on the basis of at least maintaining the current level of service on the Manchester Airport to Lancaster to Barrow-in-Furness route.

Simon Burns (Chelmsford, Conservative)
The Secretary of State for Transport has a duty to secure the best deal for both the passenger and the tax payer when negotiating with the incumbent operators. Taking in to consideration value for money and affordability; the primary aim is to ensure that passengers are not adversely impacted and that current service levels are protected as far as possible

And this is nothing like a straight answer!