HC Deb 03 March 2003 vol 400 cc793-4W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government is taking(a) to ensure better value for public money from the railways and (b) to prevent rail costs increasing; what is being done to limit the number of contactors and sub-contractors working on the railways; and if he will make a statement. [100297]

Mr. Jamieson

The Strategic Rail Authority's second Strategic Plan, published in January, sets out the nature of the challenges and the steps underway to control costs and improve value for money. The contractual arrangements for maintaining and renewing the railways are a matter for Network Rail and its customers.