AN East Lancashire MP claimed he had better chances of winning the National Lottery jackpot than the government had of winning the next election or the privatisation of railways did of improving services.

Peter Pike said government claims that there were "prospects of better services and higher investment at less cost to taxpayers" suggested even the government knew selling the trains would not deliver what was claimed.

He said: "I have 'prospects' of winning the National Lottery - I buy a ticket every week - but as yet I have failed to win more than £10.

"Nevertheless, I think that my chance of winning the Lottery is higher than the government's chance of winning the next General Election."

He launched his attack on privatisation as the government won it's first major vote in the Commons since the loss of the South East Staffordshire by-election cut it's majority to one.

The support of Ulster Unionists and a failure of worried Tories to rebel gave John Major a majority of 19 in the vote to authorise the sale of Railtrack to the private sector.

But Mr Pike said the new system would be a fragmented shambles and told how the return Burnley to London trip of one constituent became a nightmare.

But in order to claim compensation, he had had to deal with four different companies.

"What a way to run a railway system. What a way to run a country."

Mr Pike said he was having great problems with Railtrack over attempts to get simple things done.

He said: "One involves litter on the track throughout the country.

"The stretch opposite Sefton Terrace in Burnley was cleared only when we had a Royal visit a few years ago, and has not been cleared since.

"It is currently an appalling eyesore. Must we arrange another Royal visit?

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