Letter from Ruth Kelly MP, Financial Secretary,
HM Treasury, to Rt Hon Sir George Young MP
Thank you for your letter of 21 July, concerning
the classification of Network Rail by the Office for National
Statistics (ONS). This follows the Westminster Hall debate of
20 July on the definition of public corporations, at which we
both spoke.
I am advised by the National Statistician that,
in line with its standard practice, the Office for National Statistics
will be re-considering the National Accounts classification of
Network Rail in the light of the new arrangements for the management
of the railway network which were announced recently by the Secretary
of State for Transport.
From the information currently available, ONS
have advised that their preliminary view is that the classification
of Network Rail will remain unchanged. ONS are however, currently
examining the new arrangements and will be issuing a definitive
statement once contract details have been confirmed.
I hope that this satisfactorily addresses the
questions that you raised in debate.
30 July 2004
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