§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will commission a study of the feasibility of privatising the Fenchurch street-Shoeburyness railway line.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Government have told the British Railways Board that they will welcome proposals for more private sector finance and participation in the development of railway services. In that context, we are encouraging British Rail to respond positively to any realistic and commercially attractive proposals from the private sector for operating railway lines. But the initiative in respect of particular lines must come from the private sector.