§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 9 January,Official Report, columns 26–29, what instructions he has issued to the franchising director regarding the assessment of the costs of a passenger rail franchise continuing to be operated by the British Railways Board rather than by private franchisee. [9940]
266W
§ Mr. WattsThe franchising director has a duty under section 5(1) (b) of the Railway Act 1993 to ensure that any payments made in pursuance of an agreement under section 52 of the Act, which enables the franchising director to secure provision by the British Railways Board or any wholly owned subsidiary of the board of railway passenger services that are not provided under a franchise agreement, achieve economically and efficiently and objectives given to him by the Secretary of State. The franchising director has an objective to encourage efficiency and economy in the provision of railway services.