HC Deb 12 November 1956 vol 560 cc557-8
44. Mr. C. Howell

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, in view of the necessity to conserve oil and petrol at the present time, what steps he proposes to take to divert traffic now taken by road to and from nationalised industries to the railways; and what consultations have been held with that object in view.

The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Harold Watkinson)

I am sure that in present circumstances the distributors, consumers and suppliers who are responsible for transport to and from the nationalised industries can be relied on to reduce their consumption of oil and petrol by using rail transport where this is possible. I can assure the hon. Member that British Railways are ready to give every assistance to those affected by reductions in oil deliveries.

Mr. Howell

If I understood the Minister aright, he said the other people could be relied upon. I know the British Transport Commission can be relied on, but will he not agree that there ought to be some pressure put on the other people before they can be relied on to put this traffic on the railways, where it ought to be rather than cluttering up the roads? Further, will he not agree that if a substantial amount of this traffic were taken by British Railways, sufficient petrol and oil could be saved to avoid what might mean rationing in the near future?

Mr. Watkinson

No. What I would agree is that, following the rail strike of last year, a certain amount of this traffic was diverted on to the roads. That traffic will, no doubt, return to the railways, and I am satisfied that the railways are ready to handle it. I must equally make it plain that there is some road traffic which travels on the roads on its own economic merits, and it would be quite wrong for me to disturb that kind of traffic.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Quite apart from the nationalised industries, as it is generally recognised that a great deal of traffic now goes on the roads which should, and could, go on the railways to the national advantage, has the Minister any specific measures in mind, when contemplating his fuel economy activities as a result of the oil shortage, for dealing with this very important and urgent aspect of the problem?

Mr. Watkinson

Last week I was in touch with every organisation which covers road transport. I have pointed out to them the desirability at the moment of limiting their consumption of fuel oil and petrol.