HC Deb 16 January 1989 vol 145 c95W
71. Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make funds available to British Rail to enable the Barnstaple to Exeter line to remain open.

Mr. Portillo

The public service obligation grant payable to British Rail is a block grant, not related to any individual line or service, and I have no powers to earmark funds.