§ Mr. DicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in transferring British Rail's subsidiary, European Passenger Services Ltd., into Government ownership; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacGregorEuropean Passenger Services has today transferred from British Rail into direct Government ownership. This will allow the company to prepare for privatisation while completing preparations to launch its international services this summer. Jim Butler, the new chairman of EPS, and his board will be working to ensure the success of these services in the months ahead. This marks another important milestone on route to the completion of the new channel tunnel rail link.