§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish a list of all correspondence between his Department and(a) Strathclyde passenger transport executive and (c) Lombard Tricity Finance regarding operational leasing for new trains in the Glasgow commuter network area; what assessment he has made of the implications of local government organisation for the immediate future of such operational leasing deals; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will publish a list of all meetings held by Ministers or officials in his Department with Ministers or officials in any other Government Departments regarding operational leasing for new trains in the Glasgow commuter network area, giving (a) the dates of each meeting, (b) a full list of those attending and (c) the outcome of each meeting; whether any further such meetings are planned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThere have been no exchanges of correspondence between the Department and(a) Strathclyde passenger transport executive and (b) Lombard North Central about the Strathclyde rolling stock leasing deal. I wrote to Councillor Waugh on 5 November saying that I was aware of nothing in the Government's proposals for local government reform in Scotland that would alter the Accounts Commission's view that it would be in order for the regional council to conclude the leasing deal.
My officials and I attended meetings in November and December 1993 with Scottish Office Ministers and officials, present at which were representatives of Strathclyde region and Strathclyde passenger transport 610W executive. These meetings discussed a range of issues including the leasing deal and concluded that that issue was primarily a matter for the local authority to resolve. A further meeting is planned for later this month at which representatives of Lombard North Central will be present.