§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what actions he will take to encourage rail freight. [25603]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government want to see more freight go by rail. We have already improved the take-up of freight grants and increased the budget for 1998–99 to £40 million. We have secured commitments from the French Government and Eurotunnel designed to increase international rail freight through the Channel Tunnel and beyond. Our white paper on integrated transport policy, to be published in the spring, will set out further measures to encourage rail freight, including the role of the proposed new Rail Authority.