§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the companies holding railway franchises indicating the nationality of the individuals and organisations holding a controlling interest. [128305]
411W
§ Dr. HowellsThe majority of the holding companies are of British origin except for Keolis and Vivendi who are French. We do not hold information about the nationality of individual directors. Information about franchise operators and franchisees is available on the website of the Strategic Rail Authority at: http://www.sra.gov.uk/passengers/tocs.tt2
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what public subsidies have been made available to the railway industry in each year since 1983. [128304]
§ Dr. HowellsI refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 28 April 2003,Official Report, columns 7–10W. In 2002–03, central Government support to the rail industry was £2,284 million. The increase in support since 2000–01 has helped to fund a substantial increase in investment from £2,958 million in 2000–01 to £4,888 million in 2002–03.