§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requests he has received from British Rail for permission to deposit a Bill to expand the Thameslink services; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanBritish Rail sought consent recently to deposit a Bill for works in south London to enhance Thameslink. Although the scheme has a number of very attractive features, the Government concluded that the Bill was premature. My right hon. Friend has told the chairman that the best way forward is to consider the project alongside other priorities in the context of British Rail's next corporate plan.