RAILWAY PRIVATISATION: PASSENGER ROLLING STOCK

HL Deb 27 January 1993 vol 541 cc93-4WA

Lord Trefgarne

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proposals they have for the provision of passenger rolling stock after the privatisation of British Rail.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)

The private sector must ultimately take the lead in providing rolling stock. Using their financing and management skills is the best way to ensure that the right rolling stock is available at the right time for the best possible price.

We recognise that there may be some uncertainty in the market until the railway is established in the private sector. In a consultation document Railway Privatisation: Passenger Rolling Stock, published today, we indicate that we are considering a number of measures which will help to get a rolling stock market up and running. There must be no hiatus in railway investment during the transition to a franchised railway.