asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he now expects to receive from the British Railways Board a review of its rail freight operations; and if he will make a statement.

My officials and the Board's are comparing their assessments of future commercial opportunities, but I do not now expect to receive a formal report.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport by how much rail fares have increased, in percentage terms, since the commencement of the pay policy in July 1975 to the present date.

Since July 1975 British Rail fares have been increased three times, by a cumulative average of nearly 45 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what loss of ton-miles hauled by British Railways has occurred in Great Britain between

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held with the leaders of the National Union of Railwaymen, the Amalgamated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, and the Transport and General Workers Union about freight transport policy.

This is amongst the issues of transport policy that I discuss with all the trade unions principally concerned from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many consents to the closure of railway passenger services have been issued since 1963; and for how many of these consents the Government have carried out a comprehensive survey using cost benefit techniques.

Since the Department developed the techniques in the late 1960s a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis has been made in a limited number of cases in which it seemed appropriate to use this technique as an aid to decision making. In seven cases consent was subsequently given. Since 1963 a total of 331 consents has been given by successive Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been undertaken by his Department to ascertain how costs might be reduced on lightly used rail passenger services as an alternative to line closure.

The information for 1976 is not yet available. The available information on comparative statistics for the period 1960–1975 is as follows:

Research of this kind is a matter for the Railways Board as part of its management function.