HC Deb 03 November 1989 vol 159 c340W
Mr. Snape

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the following totals at constant prices:(a) capital expenditure out of the public service obligation grant to British Rail and (b) other capital expenditure by British Rail authorised by his Department for each year since 1979.

Mr. Portillo

The public service obligation grant meets the difference between costs and revenues for grant-supported services. Eligible costs include depreciation, a supplement to fund capital renewals, and interest. Grant therefore provides support for capital investment, but grant is not allocated to particular categories of expenditure.

Figures for total BR investment are given in the table:

£ million 1989–90 prices
Total BR investment
1979 518
1980 529
1981 433
1982 352
1983 347
1984 368
1985–86 491
1986–87 475
1987–88 594
1988–89 600

Note:—1984–85 was a 15 month financial period. The 1984 figure is the 12 month internally reported result. Figures exclude the laying of continuous welded track which BR no longer classify as investment.