§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the freight carrying capacity of British Rail; and how this compares with 10 years ago, after the completion of a substantial investment programme.
§ Dr. GilbertIt is not possible to estimate the maximum freight carrying capacity of the railways. This depends on assumptions as to the origins, destination, timing and nature of the consignments.
§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether it is his policy to phase out the grant to passenger rail services in the London and South-East area; and, if so, over what period.
§ Dr. GilbertFuture policy on Government support for rail passenger services will not be decided until the Government have completed consultations on the forthcoming transport policy document.
§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the amount of Government grant that has been paid towards the cost of the passenger rail services in the London and South-East area in each of the last five years; and what grant he has agreed for 1976–77.
§ Dr. GilbertFor calendar years 1971 to 1974 grants under Section 39 of the Transport Act 1968 were made as follows:
681W
1971 £10.94 million 1972 £10.13 million 1973 £17.41 million 1974 £44.67 million Because of the new arrangements introduced from 1st January 1975 by Section 3 of the Railways Act 1974 no comparable figure is available for 1975.