HL Deb 07 July 1998 vol 591 c128WA
Lord Islwyn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the total subsidy paid to private train operators compared with what was paid annually to British Rail immediately before privatisation. [HL2549]

Baroness Hayman

The amount claimed by British Rail for 1995–96, the last year when they submitted a claim for operating 25 train operating companies, was £1,673 million. The amount paid to the private sector train operators in 1997–98, the first year when they were wholly responsible for the passenger railway, was £1,425 million. The amount paid in 1996–97 was a mixture of payments to BR and to private sector operators. These figures do not include payments made by Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) for services in their areas.