§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date he told Schroder Salomon Smith Barney that the Chairman of Railtrack had requested further financial support, as indicated in the letter from SSSB to his Department, dated 7 October. [26291]
§ Mr. JamiesonMy Department first contacted Schroder Salomon Smith Barney on 6 August 2001 to ask for advice in assessing Railtrack's request for additional financial support.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) whether Schroder Salomon Smith Barney advised him that Railtrack was insolvent; [26408]
(2) what advice he received from Schroder Salomon Smith Barney relating to factors other than Government support which would have prevented Railtrack from raising the additional debt finance assumed in its business plan. [26407]
§ Mr. JamiesonI refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 November 2001,Official Report, column 495W.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether a company limited by guarantee has been established to bid for Railtrack plc. [30241]
§ Mr. JamiesonA team to develop a bid based on the concept of a company limited by guarantee has been established and its bid costs are being met by the Strategic Rail Authority. A company limited by guarantee has not yet been established.
§ Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps are being taken to establish a value of Railtrack shares to allow individual shareholders to complete their financial affairs at the end of the tax year. [30809]
317W
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 28 January 2002]: The administrator will be seeking to obtain the best value that he can for the assets of Railtrack plc. Shareholders will receive the value to which they are properly entitled.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2002,Official Report, column 861W, on Railtrack, for what specific purposes the additional public funding of £4.5 billion announced with the SRA strategic plan was allocated. [31540]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe additional £4.5 billion relates to (i) the October 2000 final conclusions of the Rail Regulator's periodic review of access charges, (ii) the April 2001 agreement between Government and Railtrack, and (iii) provision for further project development work.