To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the likely change in the cost of travelling to work in London under rail privatisation; and if he will make a statement.

The franchising director will be able to control fares through franchise agreements. and we have announced our intention to bring forward amendments to the Railways Bill to place a statutory duty on him to care for the interests of passengers using his judgment of what is a reasonable level of fares.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the comparative cost of travelling to work in London and other European capitals.

The Department has not made comparative estimates of travel-to-work costs for London and other European capitals. Such a comparison would need to take into account a wide range of factors which vary from country to country.