§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to take any measures to encourage a greater proportion of goods to be carried by rail.
§ Mr. EyreRoad and rail must compete fairly for freight traffic, but I recognise that there can be environmental benefits if suitable freight can be transferred from heavy lorries to rail. The rail freight facilities grant scheme under Section 8 of the Railways Act 1974 encourages freight to be carried by rail rather than by road where there is benefit to local communities. I wish to see the valuable contribution of these grants continued.