§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the research and development programme of British Rail, with 747W particular reference to the future of the Advanced Passenger Train project at Derby.
§ Dr. GilbertThe research and development programme is directed to improving the services of British Rail and to solving problems arising from current operations. A substantial proportion of the programme continues to be devoted to the development of the advanced passenger train and to its operation.
§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many miles of railtrack he envisages will be in use in 1980 and 1985.
§ Dr. GilbertI have made no assessment of this.
§ Mr. Walter Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement concerning the future prospects and size of the railway network before the Christmas Recess.
§ Dr. GilbertI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Springburn (Mr. Buchanan) on 16th December.
§ Mr. Walter Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an assurance that there will be no cut-back in the research, development and production of the high speed train and the Advanced Passenger Train as a direct result of grant instructions to British Rail.
§ Mr. MarksInvestment in the HST and in the prototypes of the APT is a matter for the commercial judgment of the British Railways Board. The research and development work in connection with the APT is largely supported by a separate grant under Section 57 of the Transport Act 1968.