§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the reason for the creation of the post of deputy chairman of British Rail; what are the duties pertaining to this post; and in respect of what business and in what circumstances he contacts the deputy chairman of British Rail directly.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Transport Acts 1962 and 1968 enable the Secretary of State for Transport to appoint one or more members of the board as deputy or vice chairman or chairmen of the board.
Mr. Robert Horton has been appointed to the British Railways Board as vice chairman.
479WDuring the Second Reading debate on the Railways Bill my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that Mr. Horton will be chairman-designate of Railtrack, and that he will have principal responsibility for taking forward the creation of Railtrack as a Government-owned company. Mr. Horton will work closely with the chairman and board of British Rail, and BR will retain full operational responsibility until April 1994, Official Report, 2 February 1993, column 159.
My right hon. Friend contacts Mr. Horton as appropriate to the circumstances.