HC Deb 18 December 1957 vol 580 cc412-3
77. Mr. Healey

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects the repairs to the railway workshops at Neville Hill, Leeds, to be completed.

Mr. Watkinson

This is entirely a matter within the responsibility of the British Transport Commission.

Mr. Healey

Is the Minister aware that working conditions in these workshops are absolutely intolerable? Plans for repairing them were first drawn up in 1947. Will he use his own powers to try to get the Transport Commission to advance a decision in regard to this matter?

Mr. Watkinson

I think that the right way of dealing with this matter is either for the hon. Member to make his own representations to the Commission or for him to draw the matter to my attention—which he has done—and for me to see what I can do to draw it to the Commission's attention.

Mr. D. Jones

Is this what the Minister meant when he told the Trades Union Congress on 9th July that the introduction of a Bill to implement the Gowers Report was delayed by the British Transport Commission?

Mr. Watkinson

That has nothing to do with the case at all. The Commission is spending very large sums of money in improving amenities for its workers.