§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with British Rail regarding the sale of freight sidings at Crianlarich and Oban; what is his Department's position on the matter; and if he will make a statement regarding the policy his Department is adopting in order to encourage the development of rail freight in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend has had no discussions with British Rail regarding the sale of freight sidings at Crianlarich and Oban. Government policies are designed to encourage freight to transfer from road to rail where it makes economic and environmental sense to do so. The existing freight facilities grant scheme, administered in Scotland by the Scottish Office, provides targeted financial assistance to capital projects which demonstrably help the environment by switching traffic from road to rail. The scheme is being enhanced and the changes will take effect from 1 April 1994.
A new grant scheme to be administered by the Department of Transport on a Great Britain basis is being introduced from 1 April, under which contributions can be 57W made towards track charges for freight traffic where it can be demonstrated that such traffic could not be attracted to rail without it.