asked the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total amount of Government grants paid to London Transport in 1980–81 and 1981–82.

London Transport operates on a calendar year basis. The total amount of grants, including concessionary fare payments, paid to London Transport in 1980 was £229 million and in 1981 about £250 million, of which some £100 million came from the taxpayer through the transport supplementary grant and rate support grant system. In addition, London travellers benefited from some £150 million annual support to BR London and South-East services.