HC Deb 29 January 2002 vol 379 c169W
11. Mr. Prisk

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what he estimates to be the costs to date of external consultants advising on the administration of Railtrack and its implications for the railway and Ernst and Young. [28445]

Mr Spellar

Ernst and Young, as Special Railway Administrators, are officers of the High Court and, as such, are not employed as external consultants by my Department. Consequently, fees are a matter for the creditors of Railtrack plc. From 7 October to the end of December 2001, the estimated cost of external consultants working for my Department on the administration of Railtrack and on the process of exiting administration is in the region of £3.1 million.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether his officials are working as part of the team developing a company limited by guarantee to bid for Railtrack. [30236]

Mr. Jamieson

No.

Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether all bidders for Railtrack plc, including the company limited by guarantee, will be subject to the same submission process. [30232]

Mr. Jamieson

This is a matter for the administrator.