HC Deb 16 May 1972 vol 837 cc72-4W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the amount of subsidy given on the grounds of social need for each of the last three years on the Hull-Bridlington-Scarborough line and the York-Selby-Doncaster-Hull line; and what were the receipts for passenger and goods traffic for the same period.

Mr. Peyton

The following grants were made under Section 39 of the Transport Act, 1968:

1969 1970 1971
£000 £000 £000
Hull-Scarborough
Grant 335 401 457
Earnings 223 240 240
York-Selby-Doncaster-Hull
Grant 125 162 163
Earnings 59 64 82

No financial information is available in respect of non-grant-aided passenger services or freight traffic on these lines.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to continue subsidies to local railways on the ground of social need; and whether the proposed entry into the Common Market will mean that greater assistance will be given to maintain a viable railway transport system on the Humberside.

Mr. Peyton

I intend to continue to grant-aid such unremunerative rail passenger services as are justifiable. I do not expect that entry in the European Communities will significantly change the position on Humberside.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to announce his decision on the future of those railways which are at present receiving grants on the basis of social need.

Mr. Peyton

All grant-aided rail passenger services are under continual review. I make decisions as and when appropriate.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the amount of subsidy given on the grounds of social need for each of the last three years on the Hull-Doncaster and Doncaster-Sheffield lines; and what the receipts were for passenger and goods traffic for the same years.

Mr. Peyton

The following grants were made under Section 39 of the Transport Act, 1968:

1969 1970 1971
British Railways Region £000 £000 £000
Eastern 14,636 13,226 13,970
London Midland 19,830 18,780 18,781
Scottish 10,087 10,371 10,509
Southern 13,399 13,975 12,727
Western 6,263 6,765 6,543
Sub-total 64,215 63,117 62,530
Adjustments not identifiable with individual services or regions -3,100 -1,287 +1,844
National Totals 61,115 61,830 64,374

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the amount of subsidy given on the grounds of social need for each of the last three years on the Hull-Leeds and York-Leeds lines; and what were the receipts for passenger and goods traffic for the same years.

Mr. Peyton

The following grants were made under Section 39 of the Transport Act, 1968:

1969 1970 1971
£000 £000 £000
Hull-Leeds
Grant 291 369 373
Earnings 351 342 341
York-Leeds
Grant 141 166 203
Earnings 174 184 213

No financial information is available in respect of non-grant-aided passenger services or freight traffic on these lines.

1969 1970 1971
£000 £000 £000
Hull-Doncaster
Grant 146 135 150
Earnings 257 259 259
Doncaster-Sheffield
Grant 116 106 124
Earnings 91 95 91

No financial information is available in respect of non-grant-aided passenger services or freight traffic on these lines.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount of subsidy given to local railway lines on the grounds of social need for the last three years, nationally and by region.

Mr. Peyton

The following grants were made under Section 39 of the Transport Act, 1968: