§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that a fixed minimum proportion of Railtrack's income from rail franchisees is re-allocated to the franchise director; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 18 February 1994]: My right hon. Friend set out the approach to charges for access to Railtrack's network in his reply to a question from the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dunn) on 15 February at column 716. Income to Railtrack from franchised train operators will be set at a level to allow Railtrack to recover its costs, including a return on capital. The franchising director will have sufficient grant to enable franchisees to pay access charges in respect of socially necessary services.