HC Deb 26 October 1992 vol 212 cc487-8W
Mr. Keith Hill

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the potential private operators who have expressed an interest in operating private rail freight services over British Rail tracks.

Mr. Freeman

There has been a number of expressions of interest in the operation of private rail freight services.

Discussions with individual companies have been on a commercially confidential basis.

Mr. Keith Hill

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the potential private operators who have expressed an interest in bidding for private railway franchises.

Mr. Freeman

Before the issue of the consultation document on 12 October we have received expressions of interest about running franchised passenger railway services from around 50 companies. I am sure that the consultation document will engender further interest. All approaches are being treated on a confidential basis and it would be inappropriate for me to name the companies or indicate their specific interests at this stage.