§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the rate of return in the last year for which accounts are available on the assets employed in British Rail;
(2) what is the estimated target set for British Rail expressed as a rate of return on assets employed for the current financial year;
(3) whether he has agreed the corporate plan for the financial years ending in 1976, 1977 and 1978 in respect of the activities of British Rail; and, if so, what targets he has set;
(4) what are the latest estimated trading results for the current year for British Rail.
§ Dr. GilbertThe British Railways Board has been making a substantial loss, before Exchequer grant, on the whole of its rail business. I expect shortly to make a statement about assistance to the freight sector of that business in 1976. The Board has not submitted a corporate plan this year.