§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much grant he proposes to pay local authorities in west Yorkshire in the coming year for supporting rail services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanAssistance to local authority programmes is given through revenue support grant paid by the Department of the Environment. For 1992–93, £105 million has been set aside within the All Other Services block for distribution to the six English metropolitan county areas in view of their responsibility for supporting local rail services. The amount for west Yorkshire is £18,917,910.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that any costs arising from leasing required by him for rolling stock for use in the west Yorkshire rail electrification scheme are fully covered by grant paid by him to local authorities in west Yorkshire.
§ Mr. FreemanThe costs of operating leases for this rolling-stock will be one of the factors taken into account in future years in calculating the standard spending assessments of the west Yorkshire metropolitan district councils in respect of local rail services.