§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish a list of all correspondence between his Department and(a) Strathclyde passenger transport 680W executive and (b) Lombard Tricity Finance regarding operational leasing for new trains in the Glasgow commuter network area; what assessment he has made of the implications of local government organisation for the immediate future of such operational leasing deals; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will publish a list of all meetings held by Ministers or officials in his Department with Ministers or officials in any other Government Departments regarding operational leasing for new trains in the Glasgow commuter network area, giving (a) the dates of each meeting, (b) full list of those attending and (c) the outcome of each meeting; whether any further such meetings are planned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 February 1994]: There have been no exchanges of correspondence between the Scottish Office and (a) Strathclyde passenger transport executive and (b) Lombard North Central about the Strathclyde rolling stock leasing deal. I wrote to Councillor Waugh, chairman of Strathclyde regional council's roads and transportation committee, on 17 December 1993 saying that I saw nothing in our proposals for local government reform to prevent this deal proceeding.
My officials and I have attended meetings in November and December 1993 with Department of Transport Ministers and officials, and representatives of Strathclyde region and Strathclyde passenger transport executive. These meetings discussed a range of issues including the leasing deal and concluded that the issue was primarily a matter for the local authority to resolve. A further meeting is planned for later this month at which representatives of Lombard North Central will be present.