§ Mr. FryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to encourage greater use of the railway system.
§ Mr. RifkindTo encourage more use of the rail network, I have written to the chairman of the railways board asking British Rail to give positive and sympathetic consideration to reasonable proposals from the private sector to introduce new freight or passenger services; to charge fairly for the use of BR track and facilities; to allow private operators to use their own locomotives if they wish; to allow private operators to use their own train crews, if they wish, as long as they are properly qualified.
A copy of my letter to the chairman has been placed in the Library.