§ Mr. HoltTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he approved the recent merger of British Rail's subsidiary Freightliner with its Speedlink business; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State approved the merger of Freightliner with Speedlink which came into effect on 10 October.
The information of a single, non-bulk freight business will improve BR's performance by building on the strengths of the two organisations. It will also enable BR to make the best possible use of the opportunities presented by the opening of the Channel tunnel in 1993.
Although the new business will be a part of the railway and not a separate subsidiary, its performance will be clearly and separately identifiable in BR's report and accounts.