HC Deb 29 June 1992 vol 210 cc385-6W
14. Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish his White Paper on railway privatisation.

Mr. Freeman

I hope to publish the White Paper on railway privatisation before the House rises for the summer recess.

26. Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include protection for British Rail pensions and British Rail pensioner's concessionary travel entitlements in his proposals for rail privatisation.

Mr. Freeman

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport gave an assurance during the Second Reading debate on the British Coal and British Rail (Transfer Proposals) Bill on 18 May,Official Report, column 23, that the pension entitlements of existing contributors and past employees of the rail industry will be properly safeguarded on the privatisation of British Rail.

I gave a similar assurance in respect of pensioners' concessionary travel entitlements during the Committee stage of that Bill on 16 June.