§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total bid for transport packages by local authorities for the year 1996–97; how much in total has been allocated in response to these bids; and how much is represented by(a) grants and (b) loans sanctions. [8525]
§ Mr. NorrisLocal authorities outside London bid a total of £685.586 million for major highway schemes, major public transport schemes and minor work in packages.
Some £78.7 million in supplementary credit approval has been allocated towards minor works in the 53 packages that were accepted for funding in 1996–97. In addition, £115.227 million has been allocated in that year towards major schemes in areas with approved packages, of which 50 per cent. is grant and 50 per cent. credit approval.