To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the growth in (a) freight and (b) passenger volumes on the railways since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [81355]

During 1997–98, freight tonne kilometres on the railway grew by 12 per cent. and total passenger journeys grew by 6 per cent. For the half year from April to September 1998, freight tonne kilometres grew by 7 per cent. and total passenger journeys by 5 per cent. over the corresponding period in the previous year. We are achieving our goal of winning more passengers and freight on to the railways.