§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the Government have approached the European Commission about the possible extension of state aid approval for Railtrack in administration beyond September. [45347]
§ Mr. JamiesonNo approach has been made.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the additional state aid approval that would be required to extend Railtrack administration for an additional six months beyond the end of September. [45299]
§ Mr. JamiesonNo such estimate has been made.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimated funding levels were included in the 10 year plan for the level of income assessed for Railtrack by the Regulator for Control Period 3. [45677]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe original 10-year Plan, published in July 2000, assumed that Railtrack's income in Control Period 3 would be based upon our projections for the fixed element of Railtrack's track access charges. This involved a 2 per cent. increase in real terms for fixed track access charges in 2001–02 and a 2 per cent. reduction in real terms for each of the subsequent nine years.
950W
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage increase the 10-year Plan includes for Railtrack income between Control Period 2 and Control Period 3. [45678]
§ Mr. JamiesonNo detailed breakdown is currently made of how much of the 10-year Plan funding in the Control Period 3 years (2006–07 to 2010–11) will be for Railtrack or for other individual companies. The level of income for Railtrack's successor in CP3 will depend upon the nature of the company and will be determined by the Rail Regulator through a Periodic Review, having regard to his statutory duties under section 4 of the Railways Act 1993.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what system of assessment is in place to monitor the work of Railtrack plc and the Rail Regulator in repairing and replacing rail track; and if he will make a statement; [44635]
(2) what assurances the Government have received from Railtrack plc and the Rail Regulator that the track is being repaired and replaced to a proper level of safety; and if he will make a statement. [44605]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) receives monthly information from Railtrack on the physical condition of its track. Railtrack also supplies monthly reports on the numbers of broken rails and other incidents that cause delay. These reports are shared with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and regular liaison takes place between the ORR and HSE so that the safety implications and performance of Railtrack are fully understood.
In addition there is now in place a system of independent reporters who make an assessment directly to the Rail Regulator of the adequacy of Railtrack's stewardship of the network. The Regulator does not repair or replace track and so no system of monitoring his activities exists.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether he is able to provide financial guarantees for commercial funding to the Railtrack administrator beyond 30 September. [40233]
§ Mr. JamiesonI refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday, 25 March 2002, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend, the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn) [ref. 45966]. I would also refer the hon. Member to the Statement made to the House yesterday by the Secretary of State.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) when he will have to make a further application for state aid consent to the European Commission if the process of ending Railtrack administration is delayed; [36316]
(2) how much the application for state aid consent from the European Commission for Railtrack was for; [36313]
951W(3) how much contingency funding the Government have allowed for in the state aid application to the European Commission for Railtrack. [36315]
§ Mr. JamiesonI refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday, 25 March 2002, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn) [ref. 45966].