§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that a competitive market should be allowed to operate in the event of the Gatwick express being privatised on the route between Gatwick and Central London; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe promotion of competition in the provision of railway services is a key objective of our privatisation proposals. We have made it clear that on-track competition will be moderated for the first generation of franchises to the extent necessary to ensure the successful transfer of British Rail's passenger services to the private sector, and to ensure that the taxpayer receives value for money for subsidising services. These concerns will determine the degree of competition to apply between the Gatwick express and other services on the route between Gatwick and central London; and that will be decided before the Gatwick express is offered for franchise.
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