§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those rail services eligible for public service grants; and what changes he proposes to make thereto.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe public service obligation grant is at present laid down towards the cost of all the passenger services of the British Railways Board. It is not paid for specific routes or areas of expenditure. As my right hon. Friend explained in his letter of 21 October to the chairman of the board, he will be redefining the public service obligation later this year. This will confirm the Government's commitment to supporting with grant the railway services in Network SouthEast and the provincial sectors, and will provide for a final payment of grant towards inter-city services in 1987–88 before the sector ceases to be eligible for grant from 31 March 1988.