§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to appoint the franchising director; and how rapidly he would expect him to enter into discussions with the potential lessors of rail rolling stock.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Franchising Director will be appointed shortly after Royal Assent to the Railways Bill. The Franchising Director-designate is already involved in discussions about the establishment of rolling stock leasing companies and will be able to enter into substantive discussions with potential lessors of rail rolling stock once he is formally appointed.