HC Deb 08 December 1980 vol 995 cc279-80W
Mr. Cook

asked the Minister of Transport if he will list in the Official Report (a) those applications by British Railways for consent to capital investment which he has approved since 1 April 1980 and the dates of approval and (b) those applications by British Railways for consent to capital investment which he has refused since 1 April 1980.

Mr. Fowler

The Railways Board has advised me that the authorised rolling programme for construction of freight wagons does not now correspond to its current plans. I am waiting to receive its submission under the rolling programme for electrical multiple units.

£ million at outturn prices
1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980
BRITISH RAILWAYS BOARD
(a) Capital debt written off — — — — 189 — — — — —
(b) Interest forgone as a result of (a) — — — — 16 15 15 15 14 9
(c) Central Governments Grants* (excluding (d)) 74 140 172 376 384 347 352 405 501 594
(d) Pension funding grants (Railways Act 1974) — — — — 98 108 107 117 130 69‡
NATIONAL BUS COMPANY
Central Government Grants† 12 20 14 20 23 31 38 42 48 57
NATIONAL FREIGHT CORPORATION
(a) Capital debt written off — — — — — — — 53 — 100
(b) Interest forgone as a result of (a) — — — — — — — 1 5 5
(c) Central Government Grants (excluding (d)) 9 5 3 — — 22 30 25 8 5
(d) Pension funding grants: — — — — — — — — — —
Transport Act 1978 — — — — — — — — 7 1
Transport Act 1980 — — — — — — — — — 3
* Excludes payments by Passenger Transport Executives and local authorities for passenger services.
† Includes new bus grant and bus fuel duty rebate which are paid to all stage carriage operators. Excludes revenue support payments by local authorities. The forecast outturn for 1980 is an estimate.
‡ Payment made under 1974 Act, but deemed to be a payment in advance under the Transport Act 1980, which provides for new arrangements for grant aid to British Railways and National Freight Corporation pension funds.

The board has advised that it has decided to postpone until the fiscal year 1982-83 the advance expenditure on facilities for the APT for which it has sought my approval.

I am considering proposals for resignalling in the West of England and for two jumbo train ferries and hope to advise my decisons to the board early next year.

I received on 3 November proposals for electrification of certain lines in East Anglia, and these also are under consideration.