§ Mr. HoggTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when, after 1 August, the Treasury sent advice to the Department for Transport. Local Government and the Regions that it was unlikely that additional public funding for Railtrack would be approved. [13470]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 9 November 2001]: I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on 13 November 2001, Official Report, columns 723–24.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if(a) Ministers and (b) officials from Her Majesty's Treasury attended meetings on 27 July between representatives from Railtrack and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions; [15259]
(2) when he first discussed with (a) Ministers and (b) officials the request by Railtrack for the payment of £162 million on 1 October; [15265]
144W(3) if he will place in the Library of list of meetings regarding the rail industry held between (a) Ministers and (b) officials from Her Majesty's Treasury between 1 July and 7 October with (i) representatives of Railtrack, (ii) representatives of the Strategic Rail Authority and (iii) representatives of the Rail Regulator; [15264]
(4) pursuant to his answer of 7 November 2001, Official Report, column 252W, when he was first informed that the Railway Administration Order 2001, relating to the potential administration of Railtrack, was being drafted; [15040]
(5) if consultations took place between (a) officials and (b) Ministers from Her Majesty's Treasury and (i) officials and (ii) Ministers from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions prior to 7 October, regarding (A) the drafting of the Railway Administration Order 2001 relating to the potential administration of Railtrack and (B) the request by Railtrack for the payment of £162 million on 1 October; [15263]
(6) when he first discussed the possibility of Railtrack being placed into administration with (a) the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and (b) the Prime Minister; [15266]
(7) pursuant to his answer of 7 November 2001, Official Report, column 252W, when and by whom he was first informed that the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions was considering placing Railtrack into administration; [15039]
(8) if (a) Ministers and (b) officials from Her Majesty's Treasury attended meetings on 25 July between the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and (i) the Chairman and (ii) other representatives of Railtrack; [15260]
(9) if he was informed prior to the announcement of the administration of Railtrack that the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions was considering the use of emergency legislation in respect of the powers of the Rail Regulator; and what discussions took place between his Department and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on this matter prior to the announcement of the administration of Railtrack; [15262]
(10) when he was first advised, and by whom, that there was a prospect of Railtrack no longer being a going concern; [15271]
(11) if (a) Ministers and (b) officials from Her Majesty's Treasury attended meetings on 5 October between the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Rail Regulator. [15261]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTreasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide range of organisations, including other Government departments, on a wide range of subjects on a regular basis.