§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on investment in British Rail services operating out of Paddington.
§ Mr. RifkindI am pleased to inform my hon. Friend that I have today approved investment of nearly £50 million in 65 class 165 Networker turbo vehicles. These new diesel multiple units will run on Thames line express services between Paddington and Oxford/Newbury. They will replace the existing loco-hauled trains which are becoming increasingly unreliable and costly to maintain, and bring about considerable improvements in quality of service.