HC Deb 28 November 2000 vol 357 cc551-2W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, for each year since its formation, the grant paid to Railtrack, broken down by(a) capital developments, (b) safety measures, (c) conservation work, (d) revenue support and (e) training. [139975]

Mr. Hill

[holding answer 27 November 2000]: In 1994–95 and 1995–96, when Railtrack was still in the public sector, grants of £32 million and £34 million were paid towards the cost of maintaining level crossings. Since its privatisation in 1996 the company has recovered those costs, and other costs, through access charges paid by passenger train operating companies and freight operating companies. So, although no grant has been paid direct to the company since 1996, its profitability is contingent on public money. Some 90 per cent. of its income is paid to it in access charges, a substantial proportion of which are supported by public money.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his estimate is of the proportion of Railtrack profits derived from(a) track access charges, (b) sale of assets, (c) franchising of stations and (d) other sources. [139977]

Mr. Hill

[holding answer 27 November 2000]: The derivation of Railtrack's profits is a commercial matter for the Railtrack Board. The company's Annual Report and Accounts 1999–2000 show that its 1999–2000 turnover of £2,547 million was made up of £2,175 million from passenger train operating companies, £158 million from freight operating companies, £135 million from property rental, £20 million from property sales and £59 million from other income (principally from Eurostar UK Limited, Heathrow Express and London Underground).

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his estimate is of the capital value of Railtrack(a) at the time of its establishment and (b) at the latest available valuation; and what sales of assets by the company have taken place. [140111]

Mr. Hill

[holding answer 27 November 2000]: Information on the value of Railtrack's assets is published in the company's annual reports and accounts which show that, on 31 March 1995, Railtrack had total assets of some £4.8 billion and net assets of some £1.5 billion. On 31 March 2000, those figures were some £8.4 billion and £3.5 billion respectively.

Mr. Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to discuss with Railtrack the representation at board level of professional engineers. [139828]

Mr. Hill

None. The composition of Railtrack's Board is a matter for the company and its shareholders.