§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid in freight facilities grant in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [91547]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe following table shows UK Freight Facilities Grant payments by financial years:
£ million 1997–98 8.4 1998–99 9.6 1999–2000 12.1 2000–01 19.9 2001–02 46.5 I believe this year-on-year increase in the amount of money paid in grant to be clear evidence of our continuing commitment to transferring freight from road to rail or water, wherever it is practical and environmentally beneficial to do so.