§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives he plans to promote the privatisation of rail services among private sector firms.
§ Mr. RidleyI have told the chairman of the Railways Board that I shall welcome proposals from him for more private sector finance and participation in the development of railway services. We shall continue to encourage British Rail to respond positively to any realistic and commercially attractive proposals from the private sector for operating railway lines. It is now for the private sector to respond to these opportunities.