§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what method he expects to allocate passenger rolling stock maintenance and stabling depots which are compatible with competitive services on the routes currently served by the respective depots.
§ Mr. FreemanWhere the depot concerned is dedicated to a passenger service which is to be let as a single franchise, the depot will usually be leased for the period of the franchise to the incoming franchisee. Where one franchisee will be the predominant user of the depot, he will usually acquire the lease subject to conditions requiring him to make facilities available to other operators. In some cases, it may be feasible to divide a depot into separate parts for use by different operators, or to lease a depot to a third party maintenance operator.