HC Deb 05 June 1957 vol 571 cc1249-50
17. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now state the outcome of his consultations in regard to proceeding with the construction of the Victoria line tube.

Mr. Watkinson

I have had an approach from the British Transport Commission about the construction of this line and I am now considering the financial problems which it poses.

Mr. Davies

Is the Minister giving the most urgent attention to this matter? Does he not appreciate that the growing congestion in London is rapidly bringing traffic into a state of chaos, and that if there is not some relief to surface traffic by the increase in the provision of underground tube lines the situation will become desperate? Will the right hon. Gentleman give the most urgent consideration to this matter and announce a decision as soon as possible?

Mr. Watkinson

This project, as the hon. Gentleman knows, is not exactly a new one. It has been on the cards for a great many years. I am now examining it, but there are two problems. One is that a very large capital expenditure is required, and the other is whether it can be made to show a profit or whether it will show a heavy loss.

Mr. Davies

But would not the expenditure of this very large sum on constructing a new tube to relieve surface traffic be better than spending it on street widening, etc., which is even more expensive in London?

Mr. Watkinson

That is the relevant point which I am considering.

Major Legge-Bourke

is my right hon. Friend aware that at the meeting of the Select Committee, of which I was Chairman, to consider the Bill for constructing this line we were informed by the British Transport Commission representative that on no account could the tube ever be made to pay? Will my right hon. Friend make sure, it he does decide to go ahead with this line, that it is thoroughly justified, in spite of that?

Mr. Watkinson

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for pointing that out, because it is one of the great problems. I understand that it is not possible to make this any kind of a paying proposition.

Mr. Royle

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It might be helpful to hon. Members who from time to time serve on such Select Committees to know whether it is proper to mention views expressed in those Committees, as the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Ely (Major Legge-Bourke) has done.

Mr. Speaker

I think it is in order if it is long after the event and the Committee has reported. There is no objection to it then. It is, of course, out of order to make any disclosure of what happened in a Select Committee before the Committee reports to the House. Perhaps that is what is in the hon. Gentleman's mind.

Major Legge-Bourke

Further to your Ruling, Mr. Speaker. May I thank you for the protection which you have accorded me, and may I say that this Bill was reported to the House over a year ago?

Mr. Speaker

That was the point that I was anxious to find out before I gave my Ruling.