HC Deb 28 November 2001 vol 375 cc952-3W
Peter Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many days following privatisation Railtrack shares were worth(a) more and (b) less than their opening price; and what the highest and lowest values were of a single Railtrack share between privatisation and 1 October. [18232]

Mr. Jamieson

[pursuant to his reply, 26 November 2001, c. 606W]: The closing share price for Railtrack Group plc was above the flotation price of 380p on every day between its flotation on 20 May 1996 and 4 June 2001 and also on 8 June 2001. The share price reached a peak of 1768p on 23 November 1998.

The closing share price for Railtrack Group plc was below the flotation price of 380p on 5, 6, 7 June 2001 and on every day between 9 June 2001 and 1 October 2001. The lowest closing share price was 252p on 20 September 2001.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he prepared the emergency legislation to prevent an application for interim review from Railtrack. [R] [16031]

Mr. Jamieson

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 27 November 2001,Official Report, column 746W.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the specialist areas in which his Department has sought external advice in handling Railtrack over the last year. [16375]

Mr. Spellar

We have sought accounting, legal, financial and other technical advice in relation to Railtrack and its links with the wider rail industry.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many new stations were opened by Railtrack. [17046]

Mr. Jamieson

I understand that between 1 March 1997 and 31 October this year, 24 new stations were opened. Railtrack advise that data relating to the period from the company's establishment on 1 April 1994 to the end of February 1997 are not available.

Mr. Mark Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many railway infrastructure projects stand(a) cancelled and (b) postponed, following Railtrack being placed in administration. [17671]

Mr. Jamieson

I am not aware that any projects have been cancelled or postponed as a consequence of Railtrack plc going into administration.