§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the powers, responsibilities, legal status and sources of income of the Association of Train Operating Companies. [13930]
§ Mr. WattsThe Association of Train Operating Companies—ATOC— is an unincorporated association open to all train operators holding passenger licences. Its principal functions, as set out in its constitution, are to facilitate the development and operation of commercial arrangements between passenger operators and to promote the use of the railway network, including, in particular, the making of journeys which involve more than one operator. ATOC's main objects and its ancillary functions are achieved through a number of schemes, essentially multi-party contracts between operators. ATOC's central secretariat administers these schemes, but is not itself a party to them. The secretariat's activities are financed through a membership fee levied on the association's members.
§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are currently employed by the Association of Train Operating Companies; and how many he expects will be employed in the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98. [13931]
§ Mr. WattsStaffing levels in the Association of Train Operating Companies—ATOC—secretariat are determined by the association's members, who fund the secretariat's activities. ATOC currently employs 33 staff and expects to employ about 50 staff in 1996–97. It is too early to estimate the number of staff ATOC will employ in 1997–98.