HC Deb 31 October 1996 vol 284 cc238-9W
Ms Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of legal fees incurred by Her Majesty's Government in relation to the privatisation of Railtrack for legal advice and work provided by solicitors in private practice; and what was the average(a) daily and (b) hourly rate contracted for the advice. [852]

Mr. Watts

Government expenditure to date on legal fees in relation to the privatisation of Railtrack is £3.9 million, excluding VAT. Information about contracted daily and hourly rates is commercially confidential.

Mr. Chris Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if all trains currently operated by privatised train operating companies have complied in full with the safety case required by the Health and Safety Executive. [661]

Mr. Watts

I am advised by the Health and Safety Executive that it has no evidence that trains operated by privatised train operating companies are not in compliance with safety case obligations.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those companies on the pre-qualified bidders' list for railway franchises. [1471]

Mr. Watts

No. This information is commercially confidential.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the hourly rates paid to(a) Samuel Montague, (b) Kleinwort Benson, (c) KPMG, (d) Coopers and Lybrand and (e) Linklaters and Paines by the office of the rail franchising director for work undertaken in relation to rail privatisation. [1511]

Mr. Watts

No. It is not the Government's policy to divulge the hourly fee rates for their advisers.