§ 44. Mr. Tom McMillanasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make a statement on the British Railways Board's review of its rail freight operation.
§ Mr. William RodgersI expect shortly to receive a report from the Railways Board which I shall be studying very carefully.
§ 61. Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Transport what esitmate his Department has made of the probable 253W proportion of the total freight haulage within the United Kingdom which will be carried by rail in 1980; and how this compares with the current position.
§ Mr. HoramThe Consultation Document forecasts that rail freight, measured by tonne kilometres, will rise from 23,500 million in 1975 to 27,500 million in 1980 which represents just under 20 per cent. of the total in each year. By tonnes, rail freight is forecast to rise from 175 million in 197 5to 200 million in 1980—i.e., from 10 per cent. of the total to 10½ per cent. My hon. Friend will find further details about these forecasts in paper 1 of Volume 2 of the Consultation Document.