§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to ensure that his target of at least 51 per cent. of British Rail being privatised by April 1996 is met; what assurances he has received from the Franchising Director that this target will be met; and what penalties and measures are available to him to take action it the target is not met.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Secretary of State has set for the Franchising Director the targets of commencing the competitive process for the first six franchises by the end of 1994, awarding the first six franchises by the end of 1995, and securing that 51 per cent. or more of the railway passenger services currently operated by BR are provided under franchise agreements by 1 April 1996. It will be for the Franchising Director to achieve these targets, and the franchising programme he announced on 21 April indicates how he intends to do so. We have no reason to believe that these targets will not be met. Should a problem arise which would result in the targets not being met we would need to consider with the Franchising Director what action would be appropriate in the particular circumstances of the case.