§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Railtrack has applied to the Rail Regulator for an interim review of its access charges. [1009]
§ Mr. SpellarRailtrack has not made any application to the Rail Regulator for an interim review.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of delays to train services during the most recent month for which figures are available are attributable to temporary speed restrictions associated with gauge corner cracking. [1011]
§ Mr. SpellarRailtrack's Network Performance Report for the four-week period to 26 May 2001 shows that 6 per cent. of delays were attributable to gauge corner cracking. This includes both passenger and freight services.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many temporary speed restrictions remain in place on the national railway network in connection with gauge corner cracking. [1010]
§ Mr. SpellarRailtrack reports that, as of 25 June, 118 temporary speed restrictions were in place on the national rail network in connection with gauge corner cracking.
11W
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made in the appointment of a public interest director to the board of Railtrack. [1020]
§ Mr. SpellarAs part of the Statement of Principles agreed between the Government and Railtrack, the company announced on 2 April the decision to appoint, in consultation with Government, a non-executive director to its main board with the background and credentials to provide a powerful public and consumer interest voice around the boardroom table. The appointment of such a director is currently under review by the nominations committee of the Railtrack Board.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money has been granted to Railtrack from public funds over the past year; and what contractual safeguards exist to ensure that the money is used for its intended purposes. [1023]
§ Mr. SpellarIn 2000–01, train operating companies (TOCs) were paid £847 million in Support for Passenger Services (SPRS) by the Franchising Director and the Strategic Rail Authority and £185 million in grants by Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs). Since some 85 per cent. of Railtrack's income is paid to the company by TOCs in access charges, Railtrack's revenue is contingent on that indirect subsidy.
In future, Railtrack will also receive considerable sums in direct grants for track renewals. As part of the Statement of Principles agreed on 2 April between the Government and Railtrack, the Government agreed to bring forward the timing of £1.5 billion of payments due to the company under the Periodic Review. In doing so, the Government have attached strict conditions of increased public accountability and Railtrack has undertaken to spend the Government revenues strictly on improving the railway. A copy of the Statement of Principles has been placed in the Library. None of this new funding has yet been paid.
The main safeguard in respect of all subsidy to Railtrack is the Network Licence and the conditions attached to it by the Rail Regulator. The Regulator's reformed regulatory structure is nearing completion. It comprises the Periodic Review; a strengthened network licence; and new model clauses for clearer and simplified track access agreements with Railtrack's customers, the passenger and freight train operators. The Transport Act 2000 has also strengthened the regulation and accountability of Railtrack. The Regulator now has the powers and resources to ensure that Railtrack delivers on its public service commitments.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the financial position of Railtrack. [1019]
§ Mr. SpellarRailtrack is a public limited company. Its latest financial position is set out in its 2000–01 Annual Report and Accounts published on 20 June.