HC Deb 01 February 1996 vol 270 c845W
Ms Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment is made by Railtrack of the financial soundness of a contractor before a maintenance contract is let. [12850]

Mr. Watts

I understand that, before Railtrack lets a maintenance contract, all prospective bidders who have expressed an interest are required to go through a pre-qualification process, including an assessment of their financial stability and robustness as well as their competence to do the work and their track record.