Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 6 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 November 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Monday, 13 November 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what percentage of the funding provided to Railtrack by the Government, over what timescale, will be allocated to the further development and introduction of alternatives to ultrasound; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the funding provided to Railtrack by the Government, over what timescale, will be allocated to the further development and introduction of alternatives to ultrasound; and if he will make a statement. [137411] Mr. Hill: Since privatisation, no public money has been paid direct to Railtrack. I understand that Railtrack is considering the procurement of a scoping study to evaluate the suitability for rail inspection of all known forms of non-destructive testing (NDT). The study is to be undertaken by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. Railtrack will fund development of any NDT technique with the potential to improve current techniques for testing rails.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 356 c474W; 137411
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Finance Inspections Railway track Railtrack Safety Repairs and maintenance Technology
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk