§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will put into private ownership the Fenchurch Street to Southend line; if he will allow competing operators to run trains for passengers on the line; and if he will allow season ticket holders to buy shares in the lines;
(2) if he will make it his policy to privatise designated British Rail lines on an experimental basis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanOur policy is to privatise British Rail. We are considering how that can best be done. We propose to provide for a right of access to British Rail's track for new operators, although this will require legislation.