HC Deb 04 April 1989 vol 150 c22W
Mr. Irvine

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to authorise any further investment in British Rail's provincial services.

Mr. Portillo

We have authorised the purchase by British Rail of another 56 class 158 express vehicles at a cost of about £20 million. They will be built at BREL immediately after the 138 vehicles which we approved in January. The first of all these new vehicles should be entering service by early 1991.