§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what reply he is making to the Greater Manchester passenger transport authority's application for section 56 grant towards the cost of a rail link to Manchester airport; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to have completed his consideration of the application for section 56 grant-aid for the Manchester airport rail link; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MooreThe PTA's application, which I requested in December, was sent to me on 10 March. It does not deal with a number of key issues, such as the way in which is proposed to share the costs and revenues of the project, and the economic benefits which are claimed to justify the scheme.
I have written today to the chairman of Greater Manchester PTA pointing out these deficiencies and proposing an early meeting between officials to consider the further work which is required.