§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack about its moratorium on spending on its track and signalling renewal programme. [58843]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNone. Railtrack has assured the Department that there is no such moratorium. Railtrack's Network Management Statement sets out the company's expenditure forecasts for track and signalling renewal—£340 million and £200 million respectively for 1998–99 (1997–98 prices)—and the Government expect Railtrack to meet these targets.