HC Deb 10 February 1982 vol 17 cc955-6
1. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has yet received proposals for the electrification of the St. Pancras-Sheffield railway line north of Bedford.

The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. David Howell)

Not yet, but I look forward to receiving the British Railways Board's 10-year programme of electrification schemes.

Mr. Flannery

Will the right hon. Gentleman have a chat with Sir Peter Parker, who has certain problems on his hands, and remind him that on this line there have been problems for 10 years? There are many cities on the line—Leicester, Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham. Everybody feels bitter. Ninety per cent. of the trains on that line are late, the rolling stock—[Hon. MEMBERS: "Question."] I have asked the Minister if he will speak to the chairman of British Rail. That is the question. This rudeness is not helpful.

I will again ask the Minister if he will tell the chairman of British Rail that those who use the line have suffered for 10 years and are likely to suffer for another 10 years because of miserable rolling stock. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the chairman to do something to set that line in order?

Mr. Howell

The answer to the hon. Gentleman's question is that I speak to the chairman of British Rail from time to time. Until we receive the full programme of electrification, which we expect in a month or so, it is not possible to determine priorities for individual routes. I note what the hon. Gentleman said.

Mr. Farr

I am a regular user of the same line. On reflection, does my right hon. Friend agree that money spent on further electrification beyond Bedford would be an utter waste as the people who operate the trains refuse to modernise their approach to their duties and the way they run the trains? Would not further modernisation be a waste of taxpayers' money?

Mr. Howell

The Government's position has always been that investment should be related to productivity. If there is no productivity, it is difficult to see how investment can be justified.

Mr. Spriggs

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that the British Railways Board has not even put forward its plans for electrification of the line? Is he aware that, as soon as electrification is authorised, it will make good sense to the travelling public and to the unemployed in the area served by the line?

Mr. Howell

The overall programme has not yet been put forward on the terms set out by the Government last summer.

Mr. Marlow

Is there any point in considering any future investment in the railways? It will merely give Mr. Raymond Buckton further opportunities to create havoc and—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must ask a question, not put forward an argument.

Mr. Howell

Is is undeniable that the present wretched strike is doing great damage and raising difficult issues about the future finances of, and investment in, the railways. I repeat to my hon. Friend the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr)—that investment and productivity go together. We cannot expect one without the other.