§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on advertising in relation to railway privatisation. [38587]
§ Mr. WattsThe Government have spent some £2.9 million on advertising in relation to the flotation of Railtrack. The Office of Passenger Rail Franchising has spent some £23,000 on advertising in relation to franchising. Both these figures exclude VAT, which is not a net cost to the Exchequer. The British Railways Board is responsible for any expenditure on advertising the sales of its businesses.