§ 31. Mr. Edward Daviesasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the necessity to increase the capital expenditure on the British Transport system: and what steps he is taking to achieve this end.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydYes, Sir. In common with many other vital services, the British Transport Commission's capital expenditure has still to be restricted, but the needs of transport are fully recognised and the provision for capital investment in 1953 allows for an increased expenditure compared with that in 1952.
§ Mr. DaviesCould the Minister say what he means by increased expenditure, because the cost of some services is going up and it might mean that no more work is being done? Is it not obvious to the Minister that unless we regard the transport system as the first part of our industrial equipment we cannot get the optimum results from the nation's economic life and that something more should be done quickly?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydBy increased expenditure I mean the money required for more materials, but I must point out that last year, unhappily, due to a shortage of materials, the Commission were not able to use all their allocation of capital?
§ Mr. PilkingtonIs this necessity for further capital expenditure one of the results of nationalisation?
§ Mr. CallaghanCould the Minister say how much capital investment will be duplicated because of the proposal to denationalise road haulage?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCertainly. There will be no duplication, but a general improvement in the economic efficiency of the industry.
§ Mr. CallaghanDoes that mean that the Minister has failed so far to take into account the fact that the railways will have to have additional capital investment if they are to be fully competitive?