§ Mr. AltonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his latest estimate of the date of the publication of the memorandum of sale for Red Star parcels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanI have been asked to reply.
The British Railways Board at present hopes to issue a memorandum of sale for Red Star in March of this year.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what will be the effect of the Government's proposals for rail privatisation on the pension of existing Red Star employees, who(a) lose their jobs as a result of privatisation and (b) remain in the employ of the new company following privatisation.
§ Mr. FreemanI have been asked to reply.
The British Railways Board, which is handling the sale of Red Star, is considering appropriate arrangements for the pensions of all existing Red Star employees.