17. Mr. Robert HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with British Rail on rail freight infrastructure.
§ Mr. FreemanWe are continuing to encourage British Rail to build on the strengths of rail freight, which are primarily in bulk trainload traffic. Where there are sound commercial prospects, we are backing the necessary investment. In the autumn statement we have endorsed over £600 million of investment in rail freight over the next three years.