§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the cost of reorganising the British Railways Board for rail privatisation; and if this includes the cost of new liveries for British Rail staff and trains;
(2) what was the cost of setting up Railtrack plc; and whether this includes the cost of new signs and logos.
§ Mr. FreemanReorganisation costs incurred by British Rail, including costs of setting up Railtrack, total £66 million up to 31 March 1994. The allocation of spending within British Rail and Railtrack is a matter for the businesses concerned. The Government are confident that these initial costs will be more than offset by the benefits resulting from privatisation.
§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the minimum service specification for each of the six shadow rail franchises will require the shadow franchisee to run as a minimum as many trains on each existing route as in the current British Rail timetable;
(2) whether the performance standards specified in the shadow franchise agreements for each of the six shadow rail franchises will be at least as demanding as those operated hitherto by British Rail.
§ Mr. FreemanParagraph 18 of the objectives, instructions and guidance issued to the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising on 22 March by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State requires that for the initial letting of franchises, the specification of minimum service levels for railway passenger services is to be based on that being provided by British Rail immediately prior to franchising, taking into account the existence of, and justification for, seasonal variations in service schedules.
Paragraph 21 of the objectives, instructions and guidance states that when the Franchising Director specifies the quality of service to be provided by a franchisee, the performance standards he sets should have the effect of maintaining or improving standards.