§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the bids for financial assistance for light rapid transit schemes that he is currently considering.
§ Mr. FreemanBids for financial assistance for light rapid transit schemes are submitted by local authorities as part of the annual local authority transport expenditure round. The outcome of the 1993 bidding round, covering 561W expenditure in 1994–95, was announced on 15 December 1993, Official Report, columns 699–706. Bids for expenditure in 1995–96 will be invited later this year.
Light rapid transit schemes may be eligible for grant under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968. Applications for section 56 funding are under consideration in respect of light rapid transit schemes in Birmingham—Midland Metro—Leeds—Leeds Supertram—and Nottingham—Greater Nottingham light rapid transit.
§ Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budget provision he has to support light rapid transit schemes in the current and future financial years.
§ Mr. FreemanThere is no budget provision specifically reserved for light rapid transit schemes. Future
(£ million) 1988–89 and 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 11993–94 Manchester Metrolink Credit approval 16.88 31.25 23.00 6.00 — Grant 5.88 27.68 20.75 1.75 — Midland Metro Credit approval — — 0.75 3.46 — Grant — — 0.40 0.44 — SY Supertram Credit approval — 8.70 14.10 22.60 35.30 Grant 1.10 2.95 6.40 20.50 14.50 1 Original allocation subject to adjustment in the course of the year. As part of the local authority transport settlement announced on 15 December 1993, Official Report, columns 699–706, we have made further provision of £54.71 million for the funding of South Yorkshire supertram in 1994–95.