§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his assessment of the future of the national rail network; and if he will make a statement. [30615]
§ Sir George YoungThe future of the national rail network is more assured than ever as a result of our privatisation programme. Railtrack, now in the private sector, has published a 10-year plan to spend well over £ 1 billion per annum on the network. Passenger services are being transferred to the private sector, with, for the first time, key services and network benefits legally guaranteed through franchise contracts.