§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Transport what payments of public service obligation grants he is making to the British Railways Board during the current disruption of railway services caused by the ASLEF strike.
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§ Mr. David HowellGrant is due to the board under section 3 of the Railways Act, 1974 as compensation for complying with the formal obligation placed on it under that Act to operate the passenger railway. Since the strike by ASLEF has prevented it from complying with this obligation from Sunday, 4 July, payments of grant have been suspended. If the situation changes, and the board is successful in its efforts to run an adequate level of service, I shall be prepared to reconsider the position.