Why Westminster can't take business decisions

Sir Richard Marsh quit British Rail three years ago, frustrated in his efforts to manage in the way he thought fit. But his ideas about the running of nationalised industries have not changed. It's the job of Parliament, he says, to lay down economic and social guidelines and for management to produce a set of expenditure‐related options which should be considered by the Government in a rational, numerate way. Only then can State‐owned industry pursue workable goals and set about giving value for money.