§ Dr. Michael ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an announcement about the public service obligation grant to the British Railways Board for 1989–90.
§ Mr. PortilloBritish Rail's 1989–90 claim for public service obligation (PSO) grant, which constitutes the central Government support for Network SouthEast and provincial services, has been settled at £488 million before adjustment. The cash ceiling on the final grant settlement for 1989–90, announced last April, will be increased from £496 million to £504 million. This additional £8 million 537W will be available only to accommodate the grant-aided sectors' share of additional safety-related expenditure, particularly that arising from Sir Anthony Hidden's report on the Clapham Junction rail accident.