HC Deb 22 November 1995 vol 267 cc137-8W
Ms Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff have left British Rail since January 1993 under redundancy or early retirement arrangements; and what has been the total cost of payments made to staff leaving the industry. [283]

Mr. Watts

I understand that 24,364 staff have left British Rail under voluntary redundancy or early retirement arrangements, at a cost of £471.4 million. There have been no compulsory redundancies. In this time, BR has made significant efficiency improvements, bringing benefits to farepayers and taxpayers.

Mr. Chris Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many British Rail locomotives are currently being stored out of use as surplus to requirements or to the cannibalised for spare parts; how many have been offered for sale to operators or potential operators in(a) Britain and (b) overseas; and how many are available for sale; [182]

(2) if he will take steps to require British Rail to make surplus locomotives and wagons available for sale to private operators. [408]

Mr. Watts

The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

In relation to passenger services, vehicles currently in store represent a small percentage of the total fleet; nevertheless it is for the three rolling stock leasing companies to decide when and on what terms these vehicles are offered for sale. Other than when the vehicles are being cannibalised for spare parts, the franchising director must be informed in advance of the disposal and be given an opportunity to bid.

As for vehicles used for freight services, where equipment has no current or potential use, it should be offered for competitive sale. It is for British Rail to determine whether or not equipment is surplus to requirements.

Ms Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates were given to him by British Rail for its costs arising from the restructuring of British Rail for rail privatisation in(a) the current financial year and (b) the forthcoming financial year. [289]

Mr. Watts

British Rail estimates its costs linked to privatisation for the period 1 April 1995 to 30 September 1995 to be £44 million. No estimate has been received for the second half of 1995–96 or for 1996–97.