§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport what rate of return he took into consideration when authorising the investment of £80 million on the Bedford-Moorgate electrification.
§ Mr. William RodgersI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 1st December 1976 which explained why details of the Railways Board's evaluations of investment projects are not published.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport what weight is attached to social benefit in arriving at the totality of funds approved by him and made available to British Railways for capital works.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe totality of resources made available reflects the Government's view of the investment requirements of the railways, taking all relevant factors into account, in relation to competing claims on national resources.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport by how much the capital investment programme of British Railways has been reduced under the recent expenditure cuts; and how the current figure compares with the original estimates.
§ Mr. William RodgersI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Drake (Miss Fookes) on 12th January.—[Vol. 923, c.489.]
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will compare the length of the railway network with what it was 10 years ago and the financial savings 535W affected by the British Railways Board in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. William RodgersRoute miles open for traffic, passenger and freight, totalled 11,258 in 1975 compared with 13,733 in 1966. It is not practicable to make a retrospective estimate of the savings.