To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government plan to exercise the voting rights pertaining to their residual shareholding at the forthcoming annual general meeting of Railtrack. [8892]

[holding answer 15 July 1997]: No. The Government hold only 0.8 per cent. of Railtrack's shares. Our most effective way of influencing the company is through improved regulation of the rail industry, on which we are currently reviewing the options.