§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of railway privatisation in seeking grant aid from the European regional development fund for railway investment projects; if the eligibility for grant depends on the extent of privatisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanERDF grants are for infrastructure investment. Since Railtrack, which will be responsible for such investment, will remain in the public sector for the foreseeable future, there need be no fundamental change to the present arrangements.