§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions took place with OPRAF and British Rail when decisions were taken to exclude(a) the Motorail service and (b) the Fort William sleeper from the passenger scheme requirement of ScotRail; and what discussions took place before the decision to end bookings 317W for these services. [15745]
§ Mr. WattsRegular meetings are held between OPRAF and British Rail to discuss a wide range of issues. The decision to withdraw Motorail services and the London—Fort William sleeper service from May was taken by BR on commercial grounds.
§ Mr. McLeishTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what statutory powers the Director of Franchising and OPRAF were acting when the decision was taken to exclude the Fort William sleeper and Motorail services from the passenger service requirement for ScotRail. [15747]
§ Mr. WattsIn indicating that he would not include the Fort William sleeper service and Motorail services in the draft passenger service requirement for ScotRail, the Franchising Director was acting within the bounds of the statutory objectives, instructions and guidance issued by my right hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) on 22 March 1994 in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of the Railways Act 1993.
§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the additional costs associated with maintenance of the(a) Fort William to London sleeper service, (b) Carlisle to London sleeper service and (c) Scotland to London motorail services, for the purpose of an eight week consultation period commencing in May, indicating the financial assumptions involved; and if he will make a statement; [15139]
(2) what estimate he has made of the costs associated with the closure of the (a) Fort William to London sleeper service, (b) Carlisle to London sleeper service and (c) Scotland to London motorail services; and if he will make a statement; [15141]
(3) what estimate he has made of the start up costs associated with re-opening, after May, the (a) Fort William to London sleeper service, (b) Carlisle to London sleeper service and (c) Scotland to London Motorail services; and if he will make a statement. [15140]
§ Mr. WattsMy right hon. Friend has not made any such assessments on estimates. The decision to withdraw Motorail services and the sleeper service between London and Carlisle and London and Fort William from 28 May was a commercial decision by British Rail. It has undertaken to retain the assets needed to run these services so that they can be restored if the Franchising Director decides to include them in the passenger service requirement for the ScotRail franchise.