Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the renewal of grants for unremunerative passenger services.
§ Mr. PeytonI have received 79 applications for the renewal of grant undertakings for 79 services outside the London commuter network. I have decided to give two-year grant undertakings for 48 services and one-year grant undertakings for 17 services, as listed in the table below. I have also renewed grants (on a temporary basis) for six services which have received statutory consent to closure.
Services wholly or partly in the areas of passenger transport authorities have had their grant undertakings provisionally renewed for only one year because agreements on many of those services are expected to be concluded shortly between the British Railways Board and the passenger transport executives under Section 161W 20 of the Transport Act, 1968. The other services for which grant has been renewed for only one year may be subject to alterations in the near future which will affect the amount payable.
In accordance with normal practice, I have renewed grant on the London commuter network for one year. Until the network as a whole pays its way, the deficit to be met by grant will be affected by the limitation of fares increases in compliance with the C.B.I. initiative on price restraint.
The renewal of grant for a further seven services which have been proposed for closure will be considered in the light of the decision which is reached on the proposal in each case.