To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what account his Department takes of the effect of expenditure on railways on levels of tax receipts from other modes of transport when considering future rail spending plans. (280256)

The account taken of changes in tax receipts from other modes in the economic appraisal of rail schemes, and hence in considering spending plans, is set out in the paper "NATA Refresh—Appraisal for a Sustainable Transport System" published on the Department's website at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2008/consulnatarefresh/natarefresh2009.pdf

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what funding his Department is providing for community rail partnerships in 2009-10. (280733)

The Department for Transport does not provide core funding for Community Rail Partnerships, which are essentially local organisations and therefore locally funded.

However, through the franchising process and grants to Network Rail, the Department provides funding for the services promoted by partnerships. It also provides core funding for the national umbrella body representing and supporting partnerships, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships. Working with Network Rail, the Department makes available small grants to contribute towards specific projects such as promotions and small scale station improvements. It will also be making grants to assist with training and development of employees for Community Rail Partnerships on officially designated routes.