§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make it his policy to evaluate the public service obligation grant to make it more specific in application, rail line by rail line; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe current system of paying a single national public service obligation grant reflects the requirement on BR to maintain a service which is comparable generally with that existing on 1 April 1988. The day-to-day management of services and the precise level of service to be provided on individual lines is a matter for BR. The Department regularly considers whether this system is appropriate. However, there are no current plans to change it.