§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate and publish a study of the procedures that would be necessary after privatisation, prior to the publication of a comprehensive all-line timetable for a future Christmas or new year holiday period, that would provide equivalent information to that contained in the supplementary timetable published by the British Railways Board.
§ Mr. FreemanSuch a study would be inappropriate. At present it is for British Rail to determine and publish timetables for the services it runs. After privatisation, RailTrack will be responsible for drawing up the timetable, and we are confident that the private sector will see a commercial opportunity in publishing it.