HC Deb 20 March 1990 vol 169 cc536-7W
Dr. Michael Clark

To 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. Portillo

British 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 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.