§ Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to support a major electrification programme by British Railways in the light of the need to make provision for public transport when oil reserves are exhausted.
§ Mr. FowlerThe final report of the joint review of electrification will be published in the next few days. In 287W considering its findings I shall certainly bear in mind the contribution that electrification could make to reducing the nation's dependence on oil.
§ Sir David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the amount of public money which will be made available during 1981–82 to British Railways.
§ Mr. FowlerThe limit for 1981–82 on the British Railways Board's total external finance—comprising grants, net borrowing and leasing—is £920 million. Within this total grants are expected to amount to about £800 million.