§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what limit he has set on the deficit of British Rail in the current financial year and in subsequent years.
§ Mr. Tom KingThe British Railways Board's call on external funds is limited by the external financing limit, which stands at £956 million for the current financial year. Within this, an upper limit is set for the grant which the central Government pay the board for maintaining passenger services under the public service obligation. For 1983 this PSO limit stands at £858 million. Figures are not settled for more than a year ahead. They are published annually in the Public Expenditure White Paper.