§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British Rail employees were made redundant as a result of the ending of Trainload Freight seeking contracts on the West Highland line.
§ Mr. FreemanNone. British Rail will make every effort to redeploy displaced staff when this traffic ceases at the end of March.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many people were directly employed by Railfreight Distribution in each of the past five financial years;
(2) how many people were directly employed by Trainload Freight in each of the past five financial years.
§ Mr. FreemanRailway staffing is a matter for BR. Following is the information for Railfreight Distribution:
Number 1987–88 1,394 1988–89 1,390 1989–90 1,579 1990–91 1,684 1991–92 2,898 Train crew are not included, as they are brought in from the passenger sectors and Trainload Freight. The increase in the numbers of staff for 1991–92 reflects the changes brought by the initiative "Organising for Quality"; operational regions have been abolished, and their staff are now employed by RfD. Previous increases in staffing can be attributed in the main to preparations for channel tunnel freight services.
Trainload Freight currently employs about 13,500 staff. Comparable historical data are not readily available.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on freight losses from the railways; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department has received several representations from hon. Members and private interests. During the Railways Bill Second Reading debate, my right hon. Friend proposed three new measures intended to assist the rail freight industry.