§ Mr. Keith HillTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the franchise director will have responsibility from 1 April 1994 for making grants out of the public service obligation to all passenger rail services; and what assessment he has made out of the implications for British Rail of that transfer of responsibility.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Government intend that the franchising director should from 1 April 1994 assume responsibility for all subsidy to rail passenger services in Great Britain including those which continue to be provided by British Rail. We are discussing the details of implementation with the board and the franchising director-designate.