§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial assistance the Government have provided to(a) Railtrack and (b) rail operating companies in each of last three years. [142877]
§ Mr. HillGovernment subsidies are paid to train operating companies (TOCs) in the form of Support for Passenger Rail Services (SPRS) paid by the Franchising Director and grants paid by Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs). The table provides details, for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000, of SPRS and PTE payments to TOCs.
Passenger grants paid to TOCs, etc. £ million cash prices 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 SPRS payments 1,429 1,196 1,031 PTE payments 375 337 312 Total Government subsidies to TOCs 1,804 1,533 1,343 Since privatisation, no Government subsidies have been paid direct to Railtrack, but the company's profitability is contingent on public money. Some 85 per cent. of Railtrack's income is paid to the company by TOCs in access charges, a substantial proportion of which are supported by Government subsidies.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 December 2000,Official Report, column 160W, concerning the rail network, if he will provide the same information for the period 1992 to 1997. [143357]
§ Mr. HillDue to the implementation of a new database by the Health and Safety Executive, the information requested by the hon. Member is not currently available. I will write with the information in January and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.