§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the subsidy arrangements for the United Kingdom rail industry. [74420]
§ Dr. ReidWe are determined to ensure that Railtrack has adequate incentives to perform effectively and efficiently, and to develop the network, meeting the needs of customers and funders. That could point to a proportion of Railtrack's access income being paid direct by the proposed Strategic Rail Authority, rather than via train operators. We have asked the Rail Regulator for a report on this matter.
Within the overall context of our plans for the railway, financial responsibility for those passenger services that both start and end in Scotland will be transferred to Scottish Ministers.