§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress since 1 January 1993 of measures to encourage and facilitate more freight to be transported by rail.
§ Mr. FreemanWe have liberalised access to the rail network, facilitated the restructuring of BRs freight businesses as a prelude to privatisation, improved the freight facilities grants scheme, introduced a new track access grant for marginal freight flows and raised the maximum gross vehicle weight limit to 44 tonnes for suitably configured six-axle lorries engaged in combined road/rail transport.