§ Sir Irvine PatnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of freight is currently moved by rail; and what measures he intends to take to encourage the movement of freight by rail. [36243]
§ Mr. WattsRail moved 6 per cent. of freight handled in the UK in 1994–95, the most recent period for 'which figures are available. The key to improving market share108W is privatisation. Five of BR's freight businesses, which in total carry more than 90 per cent. by volume of rail freight in Great Britain, have already been privatised. BR aims to privatise the only remaining business, Railfreight Distribution, by the end of this year.
We continue to make available grants to encourage the shift of freight from road to rail.