§ Lord Hunt of Wirralasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the statement by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 31 October (HL Deb, Col. 1486) that the appointment for a meeting between the chairman of Railtrack and the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions had been made on 5 October, whether they will make a further statement on the date on which the appointment was made. [HL1781]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The Secretary of State had been advised that any decision he could take—whether to accede to Railtrack's proposals or not—would be market sensitive and had to be communicated to Railtrack speedily. As it was envisaged that all the evidence would be available for the Secretary of State to review on Friday 5 October, the chairman of Railtrack was contacted on Thursday 4 October and a meeting scheduled in advance for the following day.