§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many railfreight grants have been awarded in the past six months; and what plans he has to improve the grant scheme. [31762]
§ Dr. StrangI am today announcing the award since July 1997 of seven new freight grants worth a total of almost £5m. The grants include £1.8m to the Port of Felixstowe to help to finance additional cranes and terminal infrastructure; and three separate grants to Freightliner worth over £1.5m.
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.