10/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - The problem of the safety of railways, "is not a question of the public or private ownership of the railways. It is a question of guaranteeing a maximum level of safety whatever the form of ownership and it's the role of the public authorities to ensure a legislative framework guaranteeing the safety of the railways" said Gilles Gantelet, European Commission spokesman for transport, to the recent reactions of the Commissioner for the single market. Frits Bolkestein had said at a university lecture on Friday that "most train accidents occurred in countries where railways were governed by the State". According to Commissioner Bolkestein, private companies were more sensitive to safety, as the State could not carry their losses.