§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the funds available within his budget for the promotion of light rail schemes. [2405]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 6 June 1997]: Bids for funding light rail systems will be considered, on their merits, as part of the allocation of resources for funding transport capital expenditure by local authorities.
But, as my right hon. Friend The Deputy Prime Minister said recently, there needs to be a co-ordinated approach to transport infrastructure. Light rail will not work in isolation but needs to be part of an integrated package of measures to achieve our overall objectives including the reduction of car dependency.