§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the grant for permanent way maintenance and replacement on British Rail for the last financial year; and how much was actually spent.
§ Mr. FreemanBritish Rail estimates that total permanent way maintenance and replacement costs were some £620 million for the last financial year, including £249.7 million for the public service obligation (PSO) grant supported sectors, Network SouthEast and regional railways. PSO grant is paid as a total to the board by the652W Government to compensate BR for maintaining its loss-making passenger services. The latest BR annual report shows that PSO grant for 1991–92 totalled £890.7 million.