§ 27. Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with possible providers of alternative rail services.
§ Mr. FreemanA number of private companies have expressed interest in providing rail services, including Virgin, Stagecoach, Badgerline, National Power, Hunslet Barclay and others. This is very encouraging evidence of the opportunities which exist for private sector participation in the passenger and freight railway.