To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with Railtrack plc on extending electrification of the western main line from Southall to Reading and beyond, with particular reference to a connection for access to the Heathrow main line stations for trains originating from western England and South Wales. [80437]

None. Railtrack's 1999 Network Management Statement, published on 25 March, sets out on pages 160–165 their investment plans for the Great Western Main Line. It does not contain any proposals for electrification of these stretches of line.