§ Mr. CranTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will outline the nature and duration of the Government grant which is being paid to halt the growth in the Humber bridge debt.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 26 June 1992]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind), the then Secretary of State for Transport, gave on 6 February on transport cash and running cost limits. A grant of £7.6 million, under the authority of the Appropriation Act, was paid for the financial year 1991–92 to avoid the capitalisation of unpaid interest payments. The amount of grant for 1992–93 will be determined having regard to the outcome of the board's financial position in the year: provision has been made in the estimates for £43.5 million. Grant will need to be paid until Government legislation is in place.