asked the Secretary of State for Transport if, as part of his preparations for his White Paper on Transport, he will estimate the approximate net additional cost to public funds of bearing all the existing cost of track and signalling costs of British Railways and any percentage reduction in fares that could result.

The arrangements for Government support for British Rail are among the matters which are being considered in the current review of transport policy. In 1976, however, support to the Board's railway operations exceeded its track and signalling costs.