HC Deb 24 January 1994 vol 236 cc1-3
1. Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the director of Railtrack about ownership of railway lines.

The Minister for Public Transport.(Mr. Roger Freeman)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has regular meetings with Mr. Bob Horton, the chairman-designate of Railtrack to discuss a wide range of issues. I am glad to report that, as planned, Railtrack will become responsible for the railway network in April.

Mr. Willetts

May I thank the Minister for that reply and ask him to confirm that it will be possible for Railtrack to sell railway lines to railway operators in certain circumstances?

Mr. Freeman

The answer to that question is yes, but only in exceptional circumstances. We obviously wish to give Railtrack a national responsibility to maintain the rail network and invest in its improvement—particularly electrification schemes—and a national responsibility for safety. But within those parameters, in certain cases the answer will be yes.

Mr. Foulkes

In the light of that answer, would it then be possible for Railtrack to sell all the track in Scotland to a privatised ScotRail?

Mr. Freeman

In theory, it might be possible, but that would run counter to our policy, which is that there should be one body—Railtrack—responsible for the whole of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain. That will benefit ease of access to the rail network by different rail operators. In cases in which rail infrastructure is sold, not only will it be the responsibility of Railtrack to consider that, but there will have to be open competition to ensure that best value for money is obtained.

Mr. Wilson

Not content with selling the family silver, it seems that the more zealous members of the Minister's party want to sell the table, too. Will the Minister confirm that within two and a half months—[Interruption.]The problem with the hon. Member's question is that members of the public remember the answer. With allegedly two and a half months to go before shadow franchises, the Government have still not come up with a system for charging for access to the tracks.

Will the Minister confirm that the Government have now accepted that they will not manage to privatise even the Gatwick express in the current year? Will he further confirm that there is now minimal private sector interest in rail privatisation? Instead of taking on board daft ideas such as the one about which we have just heard and succumbing to the demands of the private sector in an effort to get the whole thing off the ground, it would be much better if the Government at least dropped this particular cross on which they are apparently intent on crucifying themselves.

Mr. Freeman

Her Majesty's Government have no intention of withdrawing their proposals to improve the quality and quantity of our rail services. In answer to the hon. Gentleman's specific questions, shadow running will commence on 1 April and sufficient progress has been made. I pay tribute to British Rail and Railtrack for ensuring that that could happen. I can tell the hon. Gentleman that sufficient progress has also been made on access charges to permit shadow running to commence. As for his question about interest, there is substantial interest in the franchising of rail services.

Mr. Wilson

Gatwick?

Mr. Freeman

We would expect Gatwick to be among the first of the rail franchises to be franchised.

Mr. Wilson

When?

Mr. Freeman

If the hon. Gentleman had read the draft directive to the Franchising Director, he would know that my right hon. Friend has asked him to submit a specific plan within the next few weeks on the timing of the franchises. Our proposals will be a great success for the railways.