HC Deb 20 June 1994 vol 245 cc44-5W
20. Mr. Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the timetable for franchising railway services.

Mr. Freeman

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has set a target timetable for the franchising of services by the franchising director. The first six franchises are to be awarded by the end of 1995, and over half of British Rail's current passenger services are to be franchised by April 1996. The franchising director published a programme in April setting out how he intends to meet these targets.