HC Deb 05 March 1996 vol 273 cc143-4W
Ms Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the progress of the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising towards securing by 1 April the transfer to franchise agreements of 51 per cent. or more of passenger services previously operated by the British Railways Board. [18488]

Mr. Watts

The franchising programme is making good progress. Fourteen of the 25 train operating companies, representing 61 per cent. of passenger revenue in the financial year 1994–95 have either been franchised or are in the process of being sold.