§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his Department's budget for(a) consultants' fees and (b) all other costs associated with the public and press launch for the introduction of (i) the Great Western, (ii) South West Trains and (iii) London Tilbury Southend rail franchises. [17006]
§ Mr. WattsThe Great Western and South West Trains rail franchises were publicly launched with the assistance of officials from my Department and its marketing consultants—Shandwick Consultants Ltd. It is not possible to identify separately the costs associated with my Department's role in these events. Information about payments to individual contractors is commercially confidential.
§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has given to the Rail Regulator regarding the introduction of competition for passenger rail services up to 31 December 1996; and what arrangements will apply after this date. [16983]
§ Mr. WattsGuidance on competition for rail passenger services was included in the guidance given by the Secretary of State to the Rail Regulator on 31 March 1994. The regulator published a policy statement, "Competition for railway passenger services" in December 1994. Both of these documents are in the House Library.