§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on supporting a bid for Railtrack plc in administration which has not been subject to due diligence. [47993]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 10 April 2001]: The extent of due diligence undertaken by any bidder for Railtrack plc is a matter for them. It is for the Administrator to determine the appropriate arrangements 806W duty rate would be applied to biodiesel from Budget 2002, subject to European Union approval, 20 pence per litre below the rate for ultra low sulphur diesel.
The Government's Green Fuels Challenge is designed to stimulate the development of further alternative fuels. Proposals covering hydrogen, methanol and bio-gas will enjoy a period of zero fuel duty., subject to EU state aids clearance.. A second round of pilot project will be announced shortly after Budget 2002 inviting bids for a wider range of fuels.
The Powershift programme has a comprehensive marketing strategy to raise awareness of LPG and other alternative fuels. This includes advertising campaigns, regional workshops and articles run in environmental magazines. Over the last financial year the programme has run two advertising campaigns, the first targeted corporate fleet operators of vehicles under 3.5 tonnes and the second targeted at public sector fleets. The expenditure for these campaigns was £55,000.
§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many grants have been awarded under the Powershift Programme in each year since it was introduced; [49042]
(2) how much has been paid out in grants under the Powershift Programme in each year since it was introduced; [49303]
(3) how many LPG refuelling points there are in the UK; and how many sites there were in (a) April 2001 and (b) April 2000. [49302]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe table shows the total amount paid and the number of grants made together with the number of vehicles supported under the Powershift programme since it started.
for access to the company. Network Rail, and any other potential bidders would need to address the issues set out in the guidelines issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 31 October 2001.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the bid from Network Rail for Railtrack Plc was received by the administrator. [47988]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 10 April 2002]: This is a matter for the Administrator.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answers of 26 March 2002,Official Report, column 956W, refs. 45677 and 45678, on Railtrack, if the 10-year plan budget assumes a 2 per cent. annual reduction in real terms of Railtrack's overall income, including track access charges and network grants, for Control Period 2. [49838]
§ Mr. JamiesonNo. The £33.5 billion of public sector funding for rail in the 10-year plan takes account of Railtrack's regulated income in Control Period 2 as 807W outlined in the Regulator's October 2000 periodic review and the April 2001 agreement between Government and Railtrack.
§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the dates on which he or officials from his Department have met representatives of Railtrack shareholders since 8 October 2001. [49790]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 15 April 2002]: It is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.