§ Mr. Cowansasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many applications have been made by (a) the National Coal Board, (b) the British National Oil Corporation, (c) the British Gas Corporation, (d) the Central Electricity Generating Board and other electricity boards, (e) the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and (f) British Nuclear Fuels Limited for grants under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974 and with what result; and what action he has taken to encourage such applications;
(2) how many applications have been made by (a) British Aerospace, (b) British Shipbuilders, (c) the British Steel Corporation, and (d) British Leyland for grants under section 8 of the Railways Act 1974 and with what result; and what action he has taken to encourage such applications.
§ Mr. HoramThe Government are anxious that all industries, including the nationalised sector, should take full advantage of the section 8 grant scheme. The nationalised industries concerned are well aware of the advantages of the scheme, and it is for them, with the assistance of British Rail, to identify suitable cases for grant application. As the following table shows, nine projects have so far been approved for the nationalised undertakings listed: