§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the level of public financial support for railways in Great Britain, France, Italy and West Germany, expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product.
§ Mr. David MitchellInformation on public support to railways in different countries can be expressed in different ways and in any case is not readily comparable as there are variations in accounting systems and in the arrangements for financial support. The latest available estimates, based on information provided by the EC Commission, relate to 1981 and are as follows. However, they should be taken as giving only a broad comparison between countries.
Public Financial Support for Railways as percentage of GDP (1981) Percentage Great Britain 0.34 France 0.40 Italy 1.41 West Germany 0.56