§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what fee was ageeed by Mercer Management Consulting to advise his Department and British Rail on the sale of British Rail's freight operations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThis information is commercially confidential.
§ Mr. Lesters: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to take external advice on the privatisation of British Rail's freight operations.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department of Transport and the British Railways Board have jointly commissioned Mercer Management Consulting to provide detailed advice on structural options for the transfer to the private sector of British Rail's domestic and international freight services, including the rail express systems parcel business. Work on the study commenced on 28 September.