§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the gross proceeds of sales of former subsidiaries of British Rail in 1996–97. [15399]
§ Mr. WattsTotal gross proceeds of companies, which were previously owned by British Rail and which have been sold in the current financial year pursuant to the Railways Act 1993, are £2.13 billion. This sum includes gross proceeds of £1.93 billion from the sale of Railtrack; deferred payments; dividends of some £14 million paid before the sales this year of BR infrastructure companies; and gross proceeds of the following companies which were sold since my answer to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) of 27 November 1996,Official Report, columns 273–76.
Company Purchaser Gross proceeds £ million Sale date Scientifics Ltd. Atesta Group Ltd. 1.8 9 December 1996 BR Research Ltd. AEA Technology PLC 10.752 19 December 1996 Nationwide Fire Services Serco Ltd. 10.106 6 January 1997 BR Business Systems Sema Group UK Ltd. 27.0 31 January 1997 National Railway Supplies Ltd. Gresty Supplies Ltd. (MBO) 31.026 31 January 1997 Rail Operational Research Ltd. BR Projects Ltd. (an associate company of General Practice Investment Corp Ltd.) 1.5 4 February 1997 1 Excludes collection of outstanding debts.