HC Deb 11 April 2002 vol 383 cc505-6W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the state aid rules as they apply to Network Rail; [48188]

(2) if state aid rules will apply to the standby loans to Network Rail. [48189]

Mr. Jamieson

If Network Rail's offer for Railtrack plc's shares is successful any financial support provided to the company by Government would be notified to the European Commission as a potential state aid.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Network Rail will be able to replace commercial debt with standby loans from the SRA at a later date. [48187]

Mr. Jamieson

No.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether his Department is statutorily obliged to meet additional costs resulting from an interim review of Railtrack's finances. [47398]

Mr. Jamieson

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 January 2002,Official Report, column 783W.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who holds responsibility for deciding whether Network Rail takes over the network. [48184]

Mr. Jamieson

It is for Railtrack Group to consider, with its shareholders, the proposal from Network Rail for the purchase of its shares in Railtrack plc. If the proposal is accepted, the Secretary of State would in due course need to consider the exercise of his powers under the change of control provisions in the existing network licence held by Railtrack plc. In addition, the Court would need to order, on an application by my right hon. Friend, that the Railways Administration Order should be discharged. It is for the Administrators to decide how to continue with their process in the light of their responsibilities and the proposal that has been made.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the funding of Network Rail or another successor to Railtrack for Control Period 3. [48183]

Mr. Jamieson

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 26 March,Official Report, column 956W.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the directors and putative directors of Network Rail and their previous experience(a) in the railway industry and (b) in business. [47121]

Mr. Jamieson

The details of its proposals are a matter for Network Rail.