§ Lord Stallardasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many rail freight grants have been awarded in the past six months and what plans they have to improve the grant scheme. [HL873]
§ Baroness HaymanWe are today announcing the award since July 1997 of seven new freight grants worth a total of almost £5 million. The grants include £1.8 million to the Port of Felixstowe to help to finance additional cranes and terminal infrastructure; and three separate grants to Freightliner worth over £1.5 million. We are anxious to make full use of the grant scheme to get more freight on rail and inland waterways. In 1996–97, awards totalled £15 million. This year, the £30 million budget will be substantially taken up. To reinforce this success, the funds available in 1998–99 will be increased to £40 million.