§ 11. Mr. Richard Bacon (South Norfolk)If he will make a statement about the public bond issue by Metronet. [100188]
§ The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Alistair Darling)The first three PPP contracts were completed with Tube Lines on 31 December. I expect the other two contracts to be completed with Metronet shortly. Metronet plans to raise part of the necessary finance through a bond offering.
§ Mr. BaconCan the Secretary of State confirm that when the disclosure period for the Metronet bond issue starts, there will be full disclosure in line with previous practice; or will it be like the recent PFI bond issued in 672 connection with the upgrading of the Al in Yorkshire by Road Management Services (Finance) plc, in which important information was blacked out before the documents were deposited at the lawyers Freshfields, so that taxpayers cannot find out what is going on?
§ Mr. DarlingI am sure that Metronet will comply with all the obligations incumbent upon it in relation to its bond launch. That is what it must do.