§ 29. Mr. BayleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many charters contain provisions for compensation to be paid to members of the public.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service and Science (Mr. Robert Jackson)All charters contain information about what to do if things go wrong. Six charters contain provision for financial compensation. Those include the British Rail passengers charter and London Underground customers charter.
§ Mr. BayleyWill the Minister give a firm guarantee that all the provisions of the BR passengers charter will apply to private sector train operators if the Government go ahead with privatisation, or will the private sector be let off the hook?
§ Mr. JacksonThe charter will apply to everyone who operates a service. Meanwhile, it applies to BR. The House should know that it is not simply a question of compensation for individuals, which the hon. Gentleman may have had in mind; there is a provision under which fares are reduced in a particular area if the service to it is performing below standard.