FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF RAIL SERVICES IN THE NORTH

That this House is concerned that despite almost half a billion pounds leaking out to shareholders from the privately run Northern Rail and TransPennine Express services, rail services in the North are to be privatised again and also handed over to Dutch, French or German owners; is dismayed that this will mean private rail companies and other countries' railways will make big profits, while rail passengers in the North will endure higher fares, fewer services and overcrowded trains; is further dismayed this will mean trains will no longer have a guard to protect the train, while ticket offices could be closed and station staff cut; and calls for a publicly owned People's Railway in the North run under public ownership in the interest of passengers and communities.