HC Deb 18 January 1993 vol 217 cc64-5W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect his plans to commercialise British Rail will have on the future development of rail services on the west coast main line; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

We believe that our proposals for privatising British Rail, with the operation of passenger services by private sector franchisees, will lead to an improvement of services on the west coast main line, since private sector operators should be more efficient and more responsive to passengers' wishes.