§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what guarantees the Government will give to credit ratings agencies in order to restore investment grade rating to the successor company to Railtrack; [9000]
(2) what evidence he has collated to suggest that a not-for-profit company will be able to raise capital in the markets to the same extent as Railtrack could. [9004]
§ Mr. JamiesonI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 23 October 2001,Official Report, columns 195–97W.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date the concept of a not-for-profit company to take over the rail network from Railtrack was first considered by his Department. [8999]
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when(a) Ministers in his Department and (b) an official in his Department last contacted Railtrack before 6 October; and what was discussed. [8947]
§ Mr. JamiesonI refer the hon. Members to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 15 October 2001,Official Report, column 954.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the changes to legislation or regulations affecting Railtrack since May 1997, indicating in each case the body responsible for the change. [8948]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe table lists the information requested.
397W
Changes to legislation/regulations affecting Railtrack since May 1997 Legislation/regulations Body responsible The Railway Pensions (Designation, Substitution and Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2001 (SI 2001 No. 2264) The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions The Capital Allowances Act 2001 Her Majesty's Treasury The Railway Administration Order Rules 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3352) The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the capital projects to which Railtrack plc was committed at 1 April, indicating their estimated dates of completion. [8952]
§ Mr. JamiesonRailtrack's 2001 Network Management Statement published in May this year listed its committed enhancement schemes, and expenditure plans for maintenance and renewal of the network, including investment. The Network Management Statement is available on Railtrack's website www.railtrack.co.uk. I shall also arrange for a copy to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he decided to seek to appoint an administrator for Railtrack. [8946]
§ Mr. JamiesonI refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 15 October 2001,Official Report, column 954.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce the proposed new structure for the successor company to Railtrack plc; and if he will consult on the options. [9779]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 23 October 2001]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 195–97W.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much public money is to be made available to Railtrack plc in administration and its successor in the(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03 financial years; and when the next payment is due. [9782]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 23 October 2001]: The Government have committed to provide the Railway administrators with the financial support necessary to ensure that the rail network can remain fully operational throughout the administration of Railtrack plc.
During administration, Railtrack plc are entitled to receive network grants from the Strategic Rail Authority to the amount and profile agreed as part of the Rail Regulator's October 2000 Periodic Review and the 2 April agreement between Railtrack and Government. A payment of £162 million will be paid as part of these agreements when requested by the administrators. The right to receive these network grant payments will be transferred to Railtrack's successor company.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what decision-making structure has been put in place to decide on new investment plans by Railtrack plc in administration. [9781]
398W
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 23 October 2001]: The Government have committed to provide the railway administrators with the financial support necessary to ensure that operations continue on a 'business as usual' basis during administration.
Work on the development of new investment plans will continue on the same basis as before administration. The Strategic Rail Authority's forthcoming Strategic Plan will prioritise investment plans in terms of value for money offered to both rail users and the taxpayer. It will also outline its emerging plans on the framework for delivering major investments through Special Purpose financing vehicles.
§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he has given to Ernst and Young in connection with their appointment as Railtrack's administrators and on the successor company to which they will transfer Railtrack's operations and assets. [10190]
§ Mr. JamiesonMy right hon. Friend has issued no such guidance.
§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has for the streamlining of regulations following the creation of the proposed successor to Railtrack. [10193]
§ Mr. JamiesonI refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 15 October 2001,Official Report, column 954, as well as the written answer given on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 195–97W.
§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who will set the performance targets for the successor company to Railtrack referred to in his statement of 15 October. [10194]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe setting of performance targets is the responsibility of the Rail Regulator. The Government have stated our intention to streamline the existing regulatory structure.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when Railtrack in administration and the Government will settle claims from the injured and the families of those killed in recent rail crashes. [10196]
§ Mr. SpellarClaims against Railtrack plc (in Railway Administration) will continue to be dealt with through and in accordance with the Claims Allocation and Handling Agreement.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the Government's estimate is of the costs of settling all the claims against Railtrack from(a) those injured and (b) the families of those killed in recent rail crashes. [10197]
§ Mr. SpellarThe apportionment of liability between the parties is yet to be fully settled.
399W
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Government gave a guarantee to enable Railtrack in administration to borrow £800 million. [10198]
§ Mr. SpellarI refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 October 2001,Official Report, column 1230W.
§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role Ms Jo Moore played in the decision to take Railtrack into administration; and what advice she gave about how to break the news to the media. [9836]
§ Mr. ByersI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 22 October 2001,Official Report, column 95W.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which(a) special advisers and (b) other staff within his Department have been authorised to brief Labour hon. Members on the recent insolvency of Railtrack; and if he has given permission for (i) Mr. Dan Corry and (ii) Mr. Michael Dugher of his Department to appear as contact points for briefing Labour hon. Members on briefing documents sent out since 8 October to Labour hon. Members; and if he will make a statement. [9469]
§ Mr. ByersThe Code of Conduct for special advisers expressly provides that special advisers may help to brief Party MPs and officials on issues of Government policy. Mr. Corry and Mr. Dugher are special advisers.
Other staff have not been authorised to brief Labour hon. Members on the recent administration of Railtrack.