asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much compensation has been paid to each train operating company in each of the past five years by (a) Network Rail or Railtrack; and (b) the Department for Transport.[HL7660]

Any compensation payments between Network Rail or (previously) Railtrack and train operating companies are a matter for the parties in question.

The Strategic Rail Authority made payments of £15.65 million in the calendar year 2003 and £7.63 million in 2004 under its discretionary power to reimburse train operating companies (TOCs) for loss of revenue due to industrial disputes. The department has made payments of £107,135 in 2006 for similar purposes. The information for each individual TOC is commercially confidential.