§ 55. Mr. Straussasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to publish the reappraisal by the British Transport Commission of the financial prospects of the railways; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI would refer the right hon. Gentleman to my reply last week to the hon. Member for Enfield, East (Mr. Ernest Davies).
§ Mr. StraussCan the Minister tell us specifically that he intends to publish the Report before the House rises, together with a declaration of Government policy on the matter? Can he tell us whether the very important story, published this morning in the News Chronicle about this Report, has any accuracy in it?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am afraid that I have not read the News Chronicle and I therefore cannot answer the right hon. Gentleman. Replying to his main inquiry, I hope that it will be possible to lay the Report before the House some time next week. I must not anticipate the paper, but there is no Government reply called for by this Report, which is a very factual and detailed survey of what the Commission hopes to do to put its own house in order.