Railway Privatisation

20.

Mr. Bayley
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about railway privatisation. [36477]

Mr. Watts
The programme has irresistible momentum. Over 40 per cent. by revenue of passenger rail services are out to tender and the first three franchises—Great Western, LTS Rail and South West Trains—are due to be awarded at the end of the year. Railtrack will be floated in spring 1996. Businesses with a combined turnover of some £270 million have already been sold. Further, businesses with a combined turnover of nearly £3 billion are already on the market.

Mr. Grocott
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost to date of rail privatisation. [37914]

Mr. Watts
Costs incurred to date by the Department, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and the Office of the Rail Regulator are as follows. They include running costs and consultancy costs. -------
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|DOT  |
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|OPRAF|
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|ORR  |
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|Total|
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In addition, British Rail and Railtrack have incurred costs linked to privatisation. These are shown below:
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|BR/Railtrack|
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