Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his plans for the membership of the franchising authority proposed as part of the rail privatisation; and what local imput there will be.
§ Mr. FreemanThe franchising authority's head will be appointed directly by the Secretary of State. The authority will wish to take into account the views of local authorities when specifying service levels for franchises, particularly in the passenger transport authorities areas where the passenger transport executives will continue to pay for the services they support.
Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure the continuation of the integrated local services in the west midlands area after privatisation.
§ Mr. FreemanThe west midlands, in common with six other areas in the United Kingdom, has a passenger transport executive responsible for specifying and procuring local passenger rail services, and for measures which promote their operation in conjunction with local passenger transport services. PTEs will continue to have this responsibility following British Rail's privatisation, feeding their requirements into the service specification that the franchising authority will draw up when letting the franchises for passenger rail services which cover PTA areas.
Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that expenditure by the West Midlands passenger transport authority on rail developments receives a return on outlay following privatisation.
§ Mr. FreemanAny contractual rights or obligations existing between British Rail and the West Midlands PTA will be honoured.