§ Mr. AdleyTo ask the Prime Minister if she will obtain a copy of the speech by the chairman of British Rail on 8 January; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have a copy of Sir Robert Reid's speech, and urge all hon. Members to read it. It is an excellent account of the progress made by British Rail during the period that he has been chairman. In that time investment has doubled in real terms to a level which Sir Robert describes as
about the maximum rate we can physically manage".British Rails's need for subsidy has halved as the number of passengers has reached the highest level since 1960. As Sir Robert Reid says, British Rail is nowin an unprecedented position of strength".He points to the essential part played in bringing about this change by the Government's action since 1983 in setting the board clear objectives.