HC Deb 05 December 1994 vol 251 c30W
Ms Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much of his Departmental budget has been allocated to advertising and promoting the sale of Railtrack plc.

Mr. Watts

For 1994–95, £12 million has been set aside for external advice on railways privatisation. Within that, there is no specific provision for marketing the sale of Railtrack.

Ms Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the names of consultancy firms employed to assist with the sale of Railtrack plc;

(2) how much his Department has spent on consultancy firms employed to assist with the sale of Railtrack plc.

Mr. Watts

No consultants have yet been appointed specifically to advise the Government on the flotation of Railtrack.

Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those items of expenditure and receipts included under the heading "Privatisation effects" in the table accompanying his Department's press notice 457, issued on 29 November, which are not included under the heading "British Rail privatisation" in table 1.1 in his Department's transport report 1994, Cm 2506, and vice versa.

Mr. Watts

The privatisation effects listed in the table accompanying the Department's press notice No. 457 include the proceeds from the sale of rolling stock leasing companies—ROSCOs—and other rail businesses apart from Railtrack that will be scored in the Department of Transport's provision. The provision takes account of lost Railtrack and ROSCO revenue contributions.

"British Rail Privatisation" in table 1.1 of the transport report 1994 covers expenditure incurred by the Department of Transport on the employment of outside advisers.