§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the external financing limit for British Rail for the current financial year.
§ Mr. ChannonI am able to announce that it has been possible to reduce the board's external financing limit for 1987–88 by £121 million from £751 million to £630 million.
This reduction, which will have no effect on British Rail's investment programme, has been made possible by increased property sales and improved receipts. BR will therefore be able to reduce its borrowing requirement.