HC Deb 13 March 1996 vol 273 cc604-5W
Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what provisions were made to protect the interests of Strathclyde passenger transport executive in rolling stock funded by them which was transferred to the ownership of Angel Train Company and Eversholt Leasing Company; and if he will make a statement. [19600]

(2) what provisions were made when the rolling stock companies were established to safeguard the interests of passenger transport executives in rolling stock which they had funded. [19599]

Mr. Watts

Constraints on the use of the passenger rolling stock, which had previously been put in place by the British Railways Board to protect the interests of the PTEs were transferred, as appropriate, to the three passenger rolling stock leasing companies—Roscos. The arrangements for Strathcylde funded passenger rolling stock was recently confirmed to Strathclyde regional council by officials in my Department.

Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it continues to be his policy that passenger transport executives are entitled to direct the use of rolling stock which they have funded. [19601]

Mr. Watts

I have no current plans to change the present arrangements.

Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps were taken to inform the European Commission of the state subsidy provided to the privatised rolling stock companies from the British Railway's Board's retention of the obligation to meet outstanding loan charges in respect of PTE-funded assets transferred to rosco ownership; and if he will make a statement. [19602]

Mr. Watts

A decision by the Government and the British Railways Board to repay a proportion of PTE capital grants, as a means of compensating the PTEs for the loss of the lower costs charged to them by British Rail prior to April 1994, does not confer any benefit on the three recently privatised passenger rolling stock leasing companies.

Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the British Railways Board in 1996–97 of meeting outstanding loan charges in respect of PTE-funded assets which were transferred to private ownership. [19598]

Mr. Watts

The current estimated cost to the British Railways Board of payments to be made to the PTEs under deeds of assumption for 1996–97, in respect of rolling stock acquired by BR as a result of PTE capital grants and subsequently transferred to private ownership, is £10.6 million.