§ Lord Brougham and Vauxasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Answer given on 22nd February (HL, cols. WA 2 and 3) about the effect of the privatisation programme on the parking stock means that the substantial parking stock owned by British Rail will remain within the public sector; and if not, whether they agree that it is important that the parking sector is brought fully within the scope of the consumer protection legislation to which private sector businesses are generally subject.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)The freeholds of railway stations and associated car parks will generally be retained by Railtrack, which will remain in the public sector as a government-owned company for the medium term. Stations and car parks are likely to be managed by private sector operators.
48WAI would refer the noble Lord to the answer to his Question on 22nd February, which sets out the Government's position on the application of consumer protection legislation.