HC Deb 21 December 1960 vol 632 cc1300-1
48. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Minister of Transport at what time and on what day the final version of the Government White Paper on the future of the British Transport Commission reached Her Majesty's Stationery Office for printing.

Mr. Marples

At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 14th December.

Mr. Noel-Baker

But in view of the fact that there was some time to spare, could not the right hon. Gentleman have gone further, instead of leaving the railway managements and public in suspense and ignorance about many of the major decisions that should have been taken a very long time ago? We still do not know what is to happen to the modernisation programme. The way in which this document was produced was highly unsatisfactory. Why did not the Minister make a statement in the House before the White Paper was issued? Why could not the House have had an opportunity to discuss the White Paper before the Recess? Why, above all, have we had no answer to the pressing problem of the future of the modernisation programme?

Mr. Marples

The Hon. Gentleman's Question asked when the final version reached the Stationery Office, and I have told him. It then took three working days to print the final draft, which is not, I think, unreasonable, and it was then published. The point we had in mind was to give the general public, the Opposition and everyone a chance to study the document before having a debate. It is no use having too short an interval between White Paper and debate with something of this magnitude.

Mr. Mellish

May I ask whether the Minister will change his mind on the question of now publishing the Stedeford Report, which led to this conclusion, bearing in mind that at might have said something nice about the British Transport Commission and other associated nationalised bodies? We should like to know if that was the case.

Mr. Marples

No, I am afraid that the Government will not change their mind in that respect. When the Stede-ford Group was set up, it was made quite clear from the outset that its inquiries would be confidential, because it was felt that more evidence could be got from interested people if their evidence was not published—

Mr. Mellish

Who were they?

Mr. Marples

The T.U.C. for instance, and others.

It would be a breach of confidence to publish it now.