HL Deb 28 July 1999 vol 604 cc201-2WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the responsibility for obtaining bids for the operation of trains in the Greater London area on:

  1. (a) the present sub-surface lines only;
  2. (b) the present Railtrack lines only; and
  3. (c) both the sub-surface lines and the Railtrack lines
will be undertaken by the Franchising Director, London Underground or some other body; and [HL3818]

Who will operate trains in the Greater London area on:

  1. (a) the present sub-surface lines only;
  2. (b) the present Railtrack lines only; and
  3. (c) both the sub-surface lines and the Railtrack lines; and [HL3819]

Who will provide the rolling stock for trains to operate in the Greater London area on:

  1. (a) the present sub-surface lines only;
  2. (b) the present Railtrack lines only; and
  3. (c) both the sub-surface lines and the Railtrack lines; and [HL3820]

Who will allocate track capacity to the passenger trains which operate in the Greater London area on:

  1. (a) the present sub-surface lines only;
  2. (b) the present Railtrack lines only; and
  3. (c) both the sub-surface lines and the Railtrack lines; and [HL3821]

Whether Railtrack's activities and operation on the sub-surface London lines will be regulated by the Rail Regulator; and, if not, which organisation will undertake the regulatory functions as set out in the Railways Act 1994 on the sub-surface lines. [HL3822]

Lord Whitty

All these matters are the subject of discussions currently taking place between London Transport, Railtrack and the department. The aim of these discussions is to establish what an effective structure, in terms of providing services, allocating capacity and regulating private sector activities, would be. It is too early to say what the outcome of these: discussions will be in any detail.