§ Sir David MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has been able to take since his recent announcements on the future arrangements for the carriage of freight by rail to enable private operators to have the opportunity of carrying rail freight which British Rail have declined to carry.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Railways Bill is needed in order to establish a proper framework for access to the railway network by private train operators. Meanwhile the British Railways Board has undertaken to respond positively to private sector initiatives which help to increase the amount of freight on rail, within the existing statutory framework, and British Rail managers have discussed several proposals with private firms. I have agreed with the chairman that we shall discuss whether anything more can be done to facilitate voluntary access for private train services in the run-up to freight privatisation.