HC Deb 27 April 1988 vol 132 c200W
Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will urgently review his policies for subsidies to British Rail with a view to improving the quality of its services.

Mr. David Mitchell

The Government's policy on subsidising public transport was set out in the response to the Transport Select Committee's report on the financing of rail services (HC 420). Current and planned investment levels in the railways are already higher in real terms than at any time since the 1960s and are designed to bring a significant improvement in the quality of service for the customer.

Mr. Hood

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to make a statement on the implications for transport policy of the report of the National Economic Research Associates on the quality of services of British Rail, a copy of which has been sent to him.

Mr. David Mitchell

My right hon. Friend has already told the National Union of Railwaymen, which commissioned the National Economic Research Associates report, that he would like to discuss it with it.