§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bids were received for the franchise for InterCity East Coast; and what is the subsidy required by the winners, Great Northern Railway Co. Ltd. and by the runner up. [26536]
§ Mr. WattsDetails of the number of bids received for individual franchises and the levels of subsidy required by unsuccessful bidders are commercially confidential.
The Great Northern Railway Company Ltd. will receive support of £64 million in the first year of the seven-year franchise, falling to zero in the seventh year. It will receive a total of £164.88 million over the duration of the franchise. Figures are in 1996–97 prices and exclude any additional payments arising from level crossing grant. British Rail's preliminary claim for InterCity East Coast for 1996–97 is £76.25 million.
§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff(a) will be employed by the Great Northern Railway Company and (b) will have had previous employment experiences in the rail industry; and what are the equivalent figures for those employed by InterCity East Coast Ltd. in 1995–96 and by British Rail in 1992–93 in the provision of those same services. [26512]
§ Mr. WattsThe number and experience of staff employed by the Great Northern Railway Company Ltd.—GNR—in the provision of InterCity East Coast services is a matter for GNR. As at 1 April 1996, InterCity East Coast employed 2,867 staff. A comparable figure for 1992–93 is not available as this was prior to the restructuring of the railway.