§ Lord Berkeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Following concern expressed in the House of Commons PAC Report on the flotation of Railtrack about the Government's "decision to reduce Railtrack's debt by £225 million to ensure that the Thameslink rail project went ahead", whether there is yet a firm start and completion date for this project; and what steps the Government are taking to recover some or all of this debt on account of the already extended delay in its implementation. [HL3817]
§ Lord WhittyThe Thameslink 2000 project requires construction powers to be granted under the Transport and Works Act 1992. The current estimate for the start of services is May 2006. The Government will be responding in due course to the report of the Committee of Public Accounts.