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Written question asked by Lord Dykes (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 December 2007.

Railways: Channel Tunnel

Question
asked Her Majesty's Government:How the public interest and United Kingdom taxpayers will benefit from any sale to private equity buyers of High Speed 1 rail services.
Answer

We believe the best way of delivering continuing value for money from High Speed 1 is through an open, transparent, competitive process. This was explained by the then Secretary of State for Transport when he informed Parliament in a Written Ministerial Statement of 30 March 2006 (Official Report, col. 111WS), and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (the honourable Member for Glasgow South), during the Second Reading of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill on 20 November 2007. The Government will not speculate on valuation or who might choose to bid. However, they expect that process to maximise and deliver significant receipts, benefiting the public interest and United Kingdom taxpayers.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
421; 696 c203WA
Session
2007-08
Related items
Railways: London and Continental
Thursday, 30 March 2006
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects
High Speed 1 line Sales
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk