§ Mr. David MartinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Monopolies Commission report on Northern Ireland Railways Ltd. will be published.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe report is published today. The commission found that Northern Ireland Railways was not pursuing any course of conduct which operated against the public interest.
The commission recognised the dedication and resilience of Northern Ireland Railways' management team in maintaining services despite terrorism and hooliganism. While concluding that there was scope for improving efficiency and reducing costs it was impressed by the company's forward-looking investment programme and its lack of complacency in facing competition. The commission identified a number of areas where improvement was possible, in particular:
- (i) a reduction in the management structure, and changes in reporting relationships and board composition
- (ii) abandonment of passenger sectorisation
- (iii) strengthening of the company's human resource management.
The commission has also recommended improvements in such areas as the setting and monitoring of financial and operating objectives, working practices and a simplified payment system, personnel and training administration, corporate planning, investment appraisal, maintenance of rolling stock and infrastructure, research into matching supply and demand, and the company's relationship with its holding company, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and with the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland).
That Department, in consultation with Northern Ireland Railways and the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, will be producing a preliminary response to the Commission's findings within three to four months, in the light of which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will make a statement.