§ 83. Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Transport what requests he has re- 62W ceived from British Railways to finance their development plan for Southern Region by capital investment of £220 million in the 10 years 1970 to 1980; and what reply he has given.
§ Mr. MulleyNone. But the Railways Board has outlined to me the planning basis and objectives of the proposals it has recently published for the Southern Region for the next 10 years. Discussions between my Department and board's officers are starting next week.
Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister of Transport what is the total investment allocation which will be available to British Railways in 1970; and by what percentage this figure exceeds or is less than the comparable figure for 1963. on the basis of constant prices.
§ Mr. MulleyUp to £76 million. After allowance has been made for the likely investment in the railway activities transferred to the National Freight Corporation and the Scottish Transport Group under the Transport Act, 1968, and for price changes, this figure is about 23 per cent. below the figure of actual investment in 1963.
Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister of Transport if he will initiate discussions with the British Railways Board regarding its future investment programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleySuch discussions already take place regularly.
Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received regarding the adequacy of the planned capital investment programme for British Railways; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyI receive a fairly steady flow of suggestions that more money might be spent on the railways but I am satisfied that, in the present circumstances, the Railways Board is getting its fair share of the resources available.