§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the gross cost to the public purse of British railways in the years 1998 to 2001 if the privatisation plans are implemented. [38460]
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 23 October 1995]: The privatisation process has irresistible momentum. The Government remain committed to continuing to provide financial support to the railways. We believe that privatisation will bring efficiency improvements, competition and innovation, from which passengers and taxpayers will benefit, and which will become
582W
Date Location Numbers and type of A/C Nationality Nature of breach 7 January Lockerbie Dumfries and Galloway 1 x Tornado RAF Lockerbie avoidance area 17 January Eshott Northumberland 1 x Tornado RAF Eshott Microlight Site avoidance area 17 January Ruabon, Clwyd 1 x Hercules RAF Monsanto Chemical Works avoidance area 20 January Beverley Humberside 1 x Harrier RAF Hull Aero Club avoidance area 25 January Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway 1 x Gazelle AAC Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust avoidance area 9 February Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway 1 x Sea King RN Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust avoidance area 28 March Lockerbie Dumfries and Galloway 1 x Gazelle AAC Lockerbie avoidance area 6 April Market Rasen Lincolnshire 1 x Tornado TTTE Hill House Riding School avoidance area 11 April Bude, Cornwall 2xF15 USAF Seasonal avoidance area in Little Youlstone 12 April Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway 1 x Jaguar RAF Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust avoidance area 12 April Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway 1 x Tornado RAF Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust avoidance area 12 April Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway 1 x Jaguar RAF Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust avoidance area 13 April St. Mary's Lock Selkirk 2 x Jaguar RAF Failed to observe uni-directional flow while flying in the Moffat Valley 15 April Beverley North Humberside 1 x Tornado 4 x A7 RAF Portuguese Airforce Hull Aero Club avoidance area 25 April Caerlaverock Dumfries and Galloway 1 x Jaguar RAF Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust avoidance area increasingly evident over time. The major area of cost will be for the provision of passenger services. The level of this cost will be determined by market competition through the process of franchising the passenger train operating companies. No estimate of the cost of public sector support has been made beyond 1995–96.