British Rail

Mr. Caborn
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responsibility his Department has in relation to the finance, policy and operations of British Rail.

Mr. Freeman
[holding answer 9 March 1992]: The Secretary of State's main responsibilities in relation to British Rail are: to appoint the chairman and board members, and determine their pay;to set overall policy and objectives for safety, quality and financial performance;to discharge various responsibilities on safety through Her Majesty's railway inspectorate;to set the external finance limit;to set an investment ceiling, and to approve major investment projects;to issue a public service obligation and to set an annual grant ceiling;to control borrowing;to decide on opposed proposals for the closure of stations and services; andto exercise various statutory controls on procedure and finance.