"Railtrack ordered to justify dividend"
 Embattled directors of Railtrack have been privately taken to
 task by the rail network's most powerful figure over their
 decision to award a dividend to shareholders.

 Sir Alastair Morton, chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority
 (SRA), has written to the infrastructure company demanding an
 explanation for the largesse towards its investors while it is
 demanding an additional subsidy from taxpayers of at least
 £2bn. News of Sir Alastair's memorandum to Railtrack comes
 at a highly sensitive time for the Government, which is anxious
 to avoid further controversy over the rail network ahead of the
 election.

 The views expressed in the SRA chairman's letter places him
 in the same camp as the rail unions and the Rail Passengers'
 Council, both of which have publicly expressed their dismay
 over the £140m payout to shareholders. It is expected that any
 further subvention to Railtrack from the state will come from
 money already allotted to the SRA.

 By Barrie Clement, Transport Editor
 01 June 2001
 "The Independent" - English broadsheet

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