§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest estimated outturn costs to the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, including incentive payments for paying(a) franchised and (b) non-franchised train operators, for the year 1996–97; what was the original budget; and what estimates he has made for subsequent years. [4150]
§ Mr. WattsOpraf's original budget for support for passenger rail services provided for the franchise payments to Great Western and South West Trains of £125 million and a budget for BR of £1,692 million, making a total of £1,817 million against the £1,626 million voted in the main supply estimates. The latest estimated outturn is £1,763 million and a winter supplementary estimate for a further £137 million has been announced. The reduction of £54 million against the initial budget is the result of the savings on the 11 franchises let this year and the anticipated savings from later franchises. The split is estimated at payments to BR of £1,329 million and to franchisees of £434 million. The exact outturn will depend on the commencement dates of the later franchises and the savings achieved. Estimates for future years are being discussed in the public expenditure survey and announcements will be made at the usual time.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimated outturn of the cost of running the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising for the year 1996–97; what was the original budget, excluding payments to franchised and non-franchised train operators; and what are his latest estimates for subsequent years. [4149]
302W
§ Mr. WattsThe latest estimated outturn for Opraf' s running costs for 1996–97 is £7.556 million, which is the amount voted in the supply estimates. The estimates for 1997–98 and 1998–99 remain those in table 7 of the "Transport Report 1996", Cm 3206 page 85.