§ Mr. Normantonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether British Rail have now reported to him on their deficit for the current year and as to what portion of that sum is due directly to the wages settlement, reached during the year, unrelated to productivity.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI have been asked to reply. The Board currently estimates that its deficit for 1972 will be about £40 million. It is impossible to say how much of this can be attributed to its wage settlement.