§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total cost to public funds of rail privatisation to date.
§ Mr. FreemanAt March 31, the total cost to public funds of rail privatisation incurred by the Department of Transport, the Office of the Rail Regulator, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, British Rail and Railtrack, is expected to be around £92 million. The Government have made full financial provision to BR and Railtrack to meet their costs so there is no question of these costs affecting fares or the quality of passenger services. Privatisation costs are small in relation to the size of the railway businesses involved, the massive reorganisation taking place and the benefits that this will bring.