HC Deb 26 June 1996 vol 280 c141W
Mr. Mark Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations led him to enter into the guarantee, laid before the House on 20 May, covering the obligations of European Passenger Services Ltd. at Ashford International station. [34992]

Mr. Watts

When EPS was a subsidiary of the British Railways Board, BRB guaranteed to the developers of the new station at Ashford that EPS would pay rent for occupation of part of the station and a toll based on passenger numbers. After ownership of EPS passed from BRB to the Secretary of State, it made sense for the guarantee also to be transferred. The guarantee includes provision for its replacement in due course by the new owners of EPS.

Mr. Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations led him to enter into the guarantee, laid before the House on 20 May, in respect of leases of night stock by European Passenger Services Ltd. [34993]

Mr. Watts

When EPS was a subsidiary of the British Railways Board, BRB guaranteed leasing obligations for rolling stock to be used on overnight passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. After ownership of EPS passed from BRB to the Secretary of State, it made sense for the guarantee also to be transferred. The guarantee includes provision for its replacement in due course by the new owners of EPS.