§ Mrs. Betty WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding was provided by Government to the United Kingdom rail industry in each year from 1997 to date; and what the value was of such funding for rail services to and within Wales. [140332]
§ Mr. HillTrain operating companies (TOCs) receive Support for Passenger Rail Services (SPRS) from the Franchising Director and income from Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) for rail passenger services in major conurbations. Also, freight operating companies (FOCs) receive freight grant payments from my Department. The first table shows the value of all three types of funding to all TOCs and FOCs in Great Britain in each year since 1996–97. The figures for 2000–01 are estimated outturns.
Cash prices £ million Payments SPRS PTE Freight grant 1996–97 1,809 291 12 1997–98 1,429 375 21 1998–99 1,196 337 19 1999–2000 1,033 312 17 2000–01 913 280 16 The second table shows Shadow Strategic Rail Authority estimates of the proportion of total SPRS payments which relates to train-miles travelled in Wales. There are no PTEs in Wales. Equivalent data for freight grants are not available.
Cash prices £ million Payments—SPRS 1996–97 101 1997–98 77 1998–99 68 1999–2000 74 2000–01 n/a