§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the Government's expenditure on public service obligation grant to British Rail during each year since 1979; and what was the percentage in each of the British Rail's regions.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe figures for central Government support for the British Railways Board taken from the final claims for grant in compensation for the public service obligation under EC regulation 1191/69 and section 3 of the Railways Act 1974 in respect of the years since 1979 are as follows:
262W
£ million 1979 485.1 1980 575.9 1981 749.2
£ million 1982 817.0 1983 853.6 1984–85 1,065.9 1985–86 820.0 1986–87 712.9 1987–88 794.7 1984–85 is a 15-month period reflecting a change in the British Railways Board financial year. The figures for 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88 remain provisional; final claims have not been agreed. All figures are cash.
The public service obligation grant is not paid on the basis of allocation between British Rail's regions and it is not possible to provide a percentage breakdown between regions.