asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has had recent discussions with the chairman of British Rail about the contribution made by the Sealink and hotel operations to the finances of the board.

I frequently meet the chairman of the British Railways Board to discuss the performance of the board's subsidiary businesses, and other major issues. In recent years these businesses have been a drain on BR finances. Last year there was a net cash outflow from the BRB parent body to these subsidiaries of £27 million, at a time when the board has urgent needs for funds for its main railway business.