§ Miss Geraldine SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to encourage and promote rail travel. [90372]
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Property/land Bought Sold Street House 21 July 1992 22 December 1997 The Georgian House 28 January 1993 25 November 1998 Roxby House 1 February 1994 22 January 1999 Leases Farm 12 May 1994 26 February 1999 Hopetown Farm Buildings 28 July 1994 22 January 1999 Hopetown House 6 July 1996 31 October 1996 Thoroughway House 31 October 1994 14 November 1997 Leases Grange 27 November 1995 18 November 1998 The Croft 11 July 1996 29 March 1999 New Inn Farm 31 December 1996 28 May 1998 Land at Little Holtby 6 June 1996 1 June 1998 The Shawgills 26 August 1993 20 March 1998
§ Ms Glenda JacksonPromotion of the use of the rail network will be one of the main objectives of the Strategic Rail Authority, to be established by the Railways Bill which received its second reading on 19 July. Meanwhile the shadow Strategic Rail Authority has been in operation since 1 April and is making a head start on the strategic planning which the industry needs. We have made three key rail appointments, which look to the future of railway industry.
February's National Rail Summit produced commitments from the industry to deliver year on year improvements in terms of new drivers, new trains and better performance.
In addition we have established two new funds, the Infrastructure Investment Fund and the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme as well as providing extra funds for the freight facilities grant.