British Rail (Hansard, 29 March 1993)

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received since 2 February concerning(a) the proposal for Railtrack to be independent of British Rail, (b) the principle of equal access by train operators to the rail infrastructure and (c) the numbers of different organisations working on the rail network under the privatisation proposals; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on these matters.

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he is considering concerning the lease or sale of rolling stock maintenance depots; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
The options are still being considered and final conclusions have not yet been reached. The type of maintenance being carried out and the location of depots are important factors. Options under consideration include: independent sale; transfer of depots to franchisees; transfer to rolling stock companies.

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what have been the results to date of British Rail's "organising for quality" initiative; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
I understand that "organising for quality" has been valuable in establishing clear lines of responsibility and accountability within the larger BR organisation.

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from(a) passengers' groups, (b) passenger transport authorities and (c) consumer groups since 2 February about the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
I have received a number of representations from various bodies, mainly in response to the consultation documents prepared by the Department. In addition, officials of my Department are engaged in a programme of meetings with representatives from the PTAs and PTEs in order to examine issues arising from the franchising of PTE-supported services.
4W

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received from potential franchisees concerning proposals to allow Railtrack to own and control the railway network; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received concerning the future commercial development of rail stations; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what representations he has received concerning the likely length of franchises from (a) rolling stock companies and (b) potential operators; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
I have received various representations on these points, mainly in response to the consultation documents on franchising and on rolling stock which were issued to elicit views.

§ Mr. Bayley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Mercer report concerning British Rail's freight operations will be published.

§ Mr. Freeman
The report contains much commercially sensitive information and will not be published, but the Government's conclusions based on Mercer's work, and incorporating its findings as appropriate, will be published as soon as the decisions have been taken.

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to establish public sector leasing companies for rolling stock; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
On 27 January, the Government issued a consultation document on the provision of rolling stock after privatisation. The document outlined a number of options, including the creation of public sector leasing companies which, in due course, would be offered for sale. These options are currently being discussed with the industry, financiers and other interested parties. I intend to make a policy statement after Easter in the light of these dicussions.

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether Railtrack will still retain ownership of operational land if a rail station is sold or leased; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
Railtrack will retain ownership of the freehold of stations. Stations may be leased by Railtrack to franchises or independent station operators.

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who will be responsible for research and development, pursuant to his proposals in the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
I hope to make an announcement after the Easter recess.

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to protect land currently owned by British Rail and has potential for railway development, pursuant to his proposals in the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Freeman
Land with a current or potential operational use will generally be transferred, on a freehold basis, to Railtrack. It is intended that non-operational land should remain with the Brtish Railways Board.
5W
As at present, before any land is offered for disposal its potential future use for railway development will be fully explored.