§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the existing approved investment plans for British Rail for each of the years 1973 to 1979, together with the additional sums indicated in his statement of 28th November, showing for each year the sums expected to be invested in the new track from Folkestone to London and separately other facilities, including rolling stock, related to the Channel Tunnel project.
§ Mr. RipponTotal railway investment approved for the period 1973–77 is as follows :
£ million 1973 140 1974 141 1975 164 1976 201 1977 223 These figures include investment of £13 million in 1976 and £22 million in 1977 in the Channel Tunnel link, about £1 million of the latter figures being rolling stock.
Investment levels for 1978 onwards have not yet been approved.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he plans to require a specific minimum rate of return on the increased capital investment he has recently announced for British Rail ; and if specific schemes that would bring improvements in passenger convenience and comfort will need to pass this financial criterion prior to gaining his approval.
§ Mr. RipponNo.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what capital sums, of the sums mentioned in his statement of 28th November, he plans should be devoted to modernisation of commuter passenger terminals of British Railways ; and in what specific ways, other than track and signalling improvements or improvement of visual amenities, will these investments improve travel conditions.
§ Mr. RipponThis is a matter in the first instance for the Railways Board.