asked the Minister of Transport what is the total amount of compensation paid by British Railways to coal merchants whose businesses at railway depots over the past three years have been closed as a result of reorganisation; and how many firms were involved.

I understand from the British Railways Board that some small amounts have been paid to a total of eight coal merchants in respect of the value of assets made redundant by the transfer of coal handling facilities from one rail depot to another in connection with the Board's schemes for coal concentration. The Board take the view that the amount involved is a commercial matter confidential to the parties concerned.The Board know of no cases over the past three years where coal merchants' businesses have been completely closed solely as a result of railway reorganisation.