I note that the local train franchise holder Thameslink (owned by Go-Ahead) appears to have had a turnover in the year to June 2000 of £114,042,000 and made a pre-tax profit of £3,568,000.

Despite the fact that the financial year of the holder ended seven months ago, the revenue grant for the year is not available.

I also note that the other franchise-holder owned by Go-Ahead, Thames Trains, also made a profit of £14,031,000 on a turnover of £138,999,000 and once again, the revenue grant is not known for the year to June 2000.

Are the Tories satisfied with the system they set up on the eve of the 1997 election? If so, why is the data unavailable seven months after the franchise's financial year?

I note that, until the expiry of the Tory-bequeathed privatised train companies' contracts and the government's opportunity to renegotiate them, Labour cannot be held responsible for the financial accounting structures set up by the Tories, nor their commercial efficiency, let alone their safety. (I believe at least three owners made donations to the Tory Party.)

D Shepherd

Vivian Avenue

Hendon