§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the propriety of serving managers of InterCity, and other senior British Rail executives, being allowed to work with, and facilitate prospective franchises in the negotiation and preparation of franchising bids for InterCity which would involve them as shareholders if successful.
§ Mr. FreemanWe wish to encourage bids for franchises from the management and employees of BR. The BR Board has issued appropriate guidance to its managers so that potential conflicts of interst can be identified. It will be a concern of the franchising authority to ensure equality of information and treatment for all prospective bidders at each stage of the tendering process for each franchise.