§ Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the capital investment of British Railways in each of the financial years for the past six years including the estimate for the current financial year.
§ Dr. GilbertBritish Rail has provided the following figures
19707–71 £81.8 million; 1971–72 £98.3 million; 1972–73 £109.4 million; 1973–74 £121.2 million; 1974–75 £168.3 million; 1975–76 £233 million.The figures are at outturn prices and include capital investment in the railway business and the rail ancillaries.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what number of private siding connections have been (a) closed and (b) opened to the latest practicable date in 1975.
§ Dr. GilbertSixty-six and 15 respectively, as at 30th September 1975.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what number of grants have been made available for private siding connections under the Railway Act 1974 to the latest practicable date.
§ Dr. GilbertGrant has been approved for three schemes.
§ Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement about plans for the long-term future of the rail network.
§ Mr. CroslandNo. Stories which have appeared in the Press in recent days 621W about massive cuts to the rail network are a load of codswallop. I cannot tell whether they emanate from British Rail, or the railway unions, or both, or neither. Whatever the source, these irresponsible comments appear calculated to cause alarm and despondency. I advise the travelling public to treat them with incredulity. When decisions come to be made on the Transport Policy Review they will be taken by Ministers and Ministers alone, after full consultation with management, unions and other interests in the transport industry.