§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 April 1999,Official Report, column 5, what plans he has to issue a consultation paper on his proposals for the public funding arrangements for the railways; and if he will list the representations he has received on this matter. [81601]
§ Dr. ReidWe suggested in the White Paper (Cm 3950) "A New Deal for Transport" and in our response (Cm 4204) to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee's Report on the Strategic Rail Authority and Railway Regulation that a proportion of access charges might be paid direct by the SRA rather than via the train operating companies. The Deputy Prime Minister asked the Rail Regulator for his views on the advantages and disadvantages of direct funding; we expect to receive them shortly. Since publication of the White Paper and our response to the Select Committee, we have received a number of representations on the public funding arrangements for the railways.
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