§ Sir Peter EmeryTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will list the amount of money spent by the railways and financed by Government on safety of the railways over the past five years, and the amount planned to be spent for the next three years for safety on the railways.
§ Mr. PortilloIt is not possible to identify separately figures for British Rail's expenditure on specific safety measures over the last five years. Much general investment brings with it enhancements in safety. On 20 March I announced that the public sector obligation grant cash ceiling for 1989–90 would be increased by £8 million specifically to accommodate the grant-aided sector's share of additional safety-related expenditure. We have endorsed BR's plans for expenditure of £125 million on specific safety measures over the next three years. BR is currently assessing the costs of implementing the longer-term recommendations of the Hidden report on the Clapham accident, and will include them in its 1990 corporate plan.