§ Mr. Snapeasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about total state assistance to railways in each of the European Community member states, in the most recent year for which information is available (a) in pound sterling as a total sum and per head of population and (b) as a percentage of gross domestic product.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe latest available data are for 1984:
State assistance to railway undertakings £ million Per head (£s) Percentage of GDP Luxembourg 57 154 2.25 Belgium 761 77 1.34 Italy 4,054 71 1.55 West Germany 2,454 40 0.53 France 1,773 32 0.48 Denmark 194 38 0.47 Netherlands 407 28 0.44 Great Britain 936 17 0.29 Ireland 65 18 0.49 Greece 93 9 0.37 Notes:
- 1. There are substantial variations between countries in accounting systems and in the arrangements for financial support. The figures only provide a broad comparison.
- 2. State assistance is defined to include revenue and capital account but to exclude pension obligations.
- 3. Sterling equivalents have been calculated at average 1984 exchange rates.
- 4. Northern Ireland railways are not included.