§ Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that the family railcard will be available throughout the rail network after privatisation.
§ Mr. FreemanBR's current range of railcards have proved successful in attracting more passengers to off-peak services. Private sector operators will clearly wish to achieve the same result and there is every reason to believe that they will introduce new initiatives in order to increase this market still further. The Government, therefore, see no need to impose specific requirements on operators to offer particular types of discount facility, with the exception of the disabled persons railcard which is provided voluntarily by British Rail and does not make a profit.