§ 23. Mr. Shepherdasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any further representations on the policies outlined in the Select Committee Report on British Railways.
§ Mr. William RodgersNo.
§ 26. Mr. Sainsburyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Chairman of British Railways on improving productivity in British Railways.
§ Mr. William RodgersWays of improving productivity are primarily matters for the British Railways Board and management, but the Chairman knows of the importance I attach to building on the improvements that have already been achieved.
§ 43. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he hopes to arrive at decisions relating to railways in Scotland, in the light of the White Paper.
§ Mr. William RodgersI am not entirely sure what my hon. Friend has in mind, as the White Paper applies to Scotland. No further decisions are contemplated in the near future.
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§ 44. Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he will begin discussions on the proposed new arrangements for deciding on the retention or closure of local railway services.
§ Mr. William RodgersI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South—West (Mrs. Wise) earlier today.
§ 47. Mr. Spriggsasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to discuss his proposals on local railway services with the National Union of Railwaymen.
§ Mr. William RodgersAs soon as convenient to all concerned.
§ 58. Mr. Cowansasked the Secretary of State for Transport with which organisations he has discussed his proposals for new machinery to determine the retention or otherwise of local railway services, prior to the publication of his White Paper.
§ Mr. William RodgersNone, but I received advice from many quarters in the consultations on transport policy.
§ 60. Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to bring forward legislation to provide for continuing Exchequer support for British Railways passenger business.
§ Mr. William RodgersAs soon as necessary.
§ 62. Mr. McMillanasked the Secretary of State for Transport what he expects to be the cost to the Exchequer of his proposal in the recent White Paper for a new special replacement allowance for the renewal of the assets of British Railways passenger business.
§ Mr. William RodgersI would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Cook) earlier today.
§ Mr. Fryasked the Secretary of State for Transport what the net cash flow from central and local government to the British Railways Board has been for each of the years 1972. 1973, 1974, 1975 563W and 1976; and what the estimated net cash flow will be for 1977.
§ Mr. William RodgersFollowing is the information:
£ million outturn prices 1972 … … 120..8 1973 … … 154..0 1974 … … 393..3 *1975 … … 542..3 *1976 … … 483..1 1977 (estimate) … … 543..4 * Figures for 1975 and 1976 include elements for PSO, level crossings and freight grants that remain subject to audit adjustment. These figures exclude local government contributions to the British Railways Board's investment, for which figures are not readily available.