HC Deb 03 March 1976 vol 906 c606W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of total receipts of British Rail is covered by State subsidies.

Dr. Gilbert

Approximately 31 per cent, in 1975.

Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish revised figures for his forward projection of total subsidies to be paid to the British Railways Board from central Government funds from the years from 1975–76 to 1979–80, as given in table 2.6 of Command Paper No. 6393, to show the real purchasing power of such subsidies on the four different assumptions of average annual rates of inflation over the whole period of 8 per cent., 10 per cent., 15 per cent, and 20 per cent., respectively.

Dr. Gilbert

The figures are at constant prices as explained on page 145 of Cmnd. 6393 and are intended to express the purchasing power of the subsidies at 1975 survey prices irrespective of rates of inflation.