HL Deb 16 October 1991 vol 531 c104WA
Lord Gainford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they have taken to encourage greater use of the railway system.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

To encourage more use of the rail network, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport has 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 the letter to the chairman has been placed in the Library.