§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the cost per annum of repairing and maintaining British Rail's subsidiary, Freightliners Ltd's fleet of rail wagons; what steps are being taken to reduce this cost; and if consideration has been given to renting wagons from the private sector;
(2) what guidelines his Department has laid down for British Rail and its subsidiary Freightliners Ltd., relating to the repair and maintenance of container wagons by British Rail Engineering Ltd., in the current year and whether the option of renting container wagons from the private sector has been considered;
(3) if he will make a statement on his policy towards British Rail's proposals for investment in its subsidary Freightliners Ltd.;
371W(4) when he expects to complete his Department's review into British Rail's total demand for container wagons in the light of probable need for additional wagons to run through the Channel tunnel in 1993.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe comprehensive objectives set by the then Secretary of State in 1986 on 21 October 1986 at columns 772–74, require BR's non-supported businesses, including Freightliners, to continue to plan on372W the basis of a required rate of return of 5 per cent. on its programme of new investment. BR is also asked to take vigorous measures to broaden the participation of the private sector in the provision of services to the railway.
Within this framework, it is for BR to assess the numbers and types of wagons needed, taking account of forecast freight movements by rail through the Channel tunnel, and how they should be sourced, repaired and maintained.