§ 24. Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce his plans for the privatisation of British Rail's island assets.
§ Mr. FreemanMy Department is now analysing the responses to the consultation document on franchising issued on 12 October. We hope to be able to announce early next year the first services or groups of services that will be prepared for franchising. We are considering whether the Isle of Wight services will be included in that announcement.