HC Deb 25 February 2002 vol 380 cc1034-5W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total level of public expenditure allocated for the 10-year transport plan was as of(a) the launch of the plan in July 2000,(b) 2 April 2001, (c) 14 January 2002 and (d) 12 February 2002. [37093]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The totals are as follows:

(a) At the launch of the plan the total funding envelope over the plan period was £179.7 billion, of which £129.1 billion was assumed to be public money.

(b) As a result of the 2 April 2001 agreement with Railtrack, the total rose to £181.2 billion, which includes £1.5 billion of advanced grants to Railtrack. The total public element of this is therefore £130.6 billion.

(c) On 14 January 2002, the total stood at £181.9 billion, which includes the grants to Railtrack as shown, a freight adjustment of£462 million agreed in principle in April 2001, but only quantified in October 2001 following completion of the regulator's freight charges review, and £285 million of 2000–01 EYF, allocated in the summer and winter supplementaries. Public sector funding accounts for £131.4 billion of this total.

(d) As of 12 February 2002, the total figure remained £181.9 billion. A detailed breakdown of the total is provided in an updated version of Table A3 from the 10-year plan, copies of which will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2002, Official Report, column 243W, on the 10-year transport plan, if the unused rail provision in 2000–01 was available for use in 2001–02 under the rules on end of year flexibility. [37052]

Mr. Andrew Smith

Yes, the unused rail provision from 2000–01 is available for use this year.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2002,Official Report, column 243W, on the 10-year transport plan, if the Treasury gave permission for the allocation of additional funding to the 10-year transport plan from the unused rail provision in 2000–01. [37053]

Mr. Andrew Smith

Yes, Treasury did give permission. The transfer was made through the normal supplementary arrangements.