§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the total payments made in respect of railway passenger services made by central Government through the seven passenger transport executives for 1996–97; what was the original budget; and what are his latest estimates for subsequent years. [4151]
§ Mr. WattsMetropolitan district councils in England receive recognition of the costs of PTE support for railway passenger services payments. This is included within the calculation of revenue support grant. The support given in this way—and its Scottish equivalent—amounts to £281.2 million for 1996–97. Railway passenger services in those areas also benefit from expenditure funded by payments under the terms of the deeds of assumption. Support for these rail services in later years has not yet been determined.