§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what extra grants he plans to offer to rail freight companies to enable them to increase the carriage of goods by rail. [119184]
§ Mr. HillThis financial year we have set a Freight Grants budget of £50 million for companies who choose to move goods by rail rather than road.
Under the Transport Bill, administration of the grants will pass to the Strategic Rail Authority. The shadow SRA is looking at whether the existing schemes fit its objectives and strategies. It will be able to develop the existing schemes and to introduce new ones.