British Rail

HC Deb 07 March 1991 vol 187 c251W

Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total amount of public money spent on British Rail in the period 1961 to 1990.

Mr. Freeman

The total of external finance required by British Rail, from 1976–77 to 1990–91 inclusive, was some £11.2 billion in cash, equivalent to around £18.8 billion in current prices. There are no readily available figures for earlier years which cover Government grants arid net borrowing.

Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the British Rail establishments which have been closed since 1961 broken down by(a) size of establishment and (b) number of employees.

Mr. Freeman

This information is not held by the Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.