HC Deb 28 January 1993 vol 217 cc792-3W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what subsidy the Government propose to make to InterCity rail services following rail privatisation or franchising.

Mr. Freeman

Any subsidy required will be determined by competitive bidding for a franchise.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what subsidy the Government propose to make to Railtrack in respect of track, tunnels and bridges which are used by InterCity rail services following rail privatisation or franchising.

Mr. Freeman

We shall expect Railtrack to recover its economic costs in providing and maintaining the railway infrastructure from the track access charges it will levy on future rail service operators. Operators awarded franchises may require a subsidy as a condition of operating their services.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make it his policy that InterCity executive rail services are maintained for each route now existing north of Glasgow and Edinburgh following franchising or privatisation;

(2) if he will make it his policy that InterCity executive rail services are maintained in respect of the whole of the west coast route from London to Glasgow, via Preston.

Mr. Freeman

Under our rail privatisation proposals, it will be for the franchising director to decide the precise specification of all services, including current InterCity services, to be offered for franchising in line with the guidance given to him by the Secretary of State. As we made clear in the consultation document "The Franchising of Passenger Rail Services" published in October, objectives for the franchising director will include basing the pattern of services to be provided on BR's existing service levels.

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