§ David CairnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps his Department has taken to encourage Railtrack to reverse its decision to withdraw from the redevelopment of Gourock station. [25434]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Department has not taken any such steps. The future funding of redevelopment of Gourock station is under discussion between Railtrack, the Scottish Executive and the Strategic Rail Authority.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) whether the proposed company limited by guarantee will need to secure adequate commercial loan facilities to enable it to repay the commercial loan agreement between the Department and the Administrator simultaneously with the ending of the Railtrack administration; [24174]
(2) pursuant to his answer of 13 December 2001,Official Report, column 1014W, on Railtrack, from what potential sources the proposed company limited by guarantee would make a payment to the administrator on the final day of administration; and if he will make a statement. [24254]
§ Mr. JamiesonIt is for the CLG bid team, established under the sponsorship of the Strategic Rail Authority, to put a proposal to the Administrator. The repayment of the commercial loan from the Department to Railtrack plc in administration is a matter which all potential bidders will need to address in their proposals. It is for the Administrator to put a proposal for a transfer scheme before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State based on any propositions he receives.
863W
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 December 2001,Official Report,column 1014W on Railtrack, if the Government's policy is to permit the disposal of Railtrack assets to secure the funds listed. [24255]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe cash advances of £1,228 million referred to in my answer of 13 December 2001, on Railtrack, are to be recouped from new debt, not from the realisation of assets.
§ Mr. LazarowiczTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to bring forward proposals to establish a company limited by guarantee to take over the functions previously undertaken by Railtrack. [24138]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe timing of a proposal to the Administrator is a matter for the CLG bid team, established under the sponsorship of the Strategic Rail Authority. It is for the Administrator to put a proposal for a transfer scheme before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State based on any propositions he receives. All potential bidders will be aware that both the Administrator and the Government are keen to keep the period of administration as short as possible.
§ Mr. BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps Railtrack plc is taking to ensure that structural faults, with particular reference to the masonry of the Glottenham Lane overpass in Robertsbridge, are identified and repaired on the south eastern rail network. [22923]
§ Mr. JamiesonI understand that Railtrack engineers will inspect the relevant overpass as soon as possible.
§ Mr. BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many signal failures were reported in November on(a) the UK rail network, (b) Railtrack's southern zone, (c) the south eastern network and (d) Kent and Sussex; what the figures were for November 1997; and what steps have been taken to ensure that faults are identified and repaired before serious incidents arise. [22924]
§ Mr. JamiesonI understand from Railtrack that the comparative information requested is not available.