§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate for the total amount of financial support from central and local Government resources for British Rail in the current financial year, including all grants, subsidies and deficit; and how this figure compares with the likely totals for income and expenditure.
§ Dr. GilbertThe latest available estimate of support for the railways in 1975 is some £400 million. The likely totals for railway income and expenditure are some £800 million and some £1,200 million respectively.
71WIn addition, the Government will make a contribution of about £90 million towards the board's pensions liabilities. The liabilities to be funded under the provisions of the Railways Act 1974 cover certain pension obligations to which the Railways Board was committed at 1st January 1975. These liabilities include obligations to maintain the solvency of funded schemes, to pay ex gratia and other direct payments of pensions, and to pay supplements to pensioners, both now and in the future, not greater than those granted to retired public servants under the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971.