HC Deb 11 April 1962 vol 657 cc1313-4
8. Mr. P. Browne

asked the Minister of Transport if he has consulted county councils with reference to the majority recommendation of the Jack Committee Report.

10. Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he now has for improving rural bus services.

12. Sir J. Maitland

asked the Minister of Transport what action he has now taken to solve the problems which the Jack Committee was set up to investigate.

Mr. Marples

I have consulted all the national associations of local authorities about the Jack Report. I am not yet in a position to announce Her Majesty's Government's decision or any action to be taken arising out of the recommendations in the Report.

Mr. Browne

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his Answer to my last Question gave me my first opportunity to congratulate him, and that I regret that I am not able to congratulate him on his Answer to this Question? Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that unless the makes a decision on the rural transport problem soon, it will become a salvage operation and there will be a great deal more difficulty than if he took action now? Does he appreciate that, with the closing of branch lines, this problem is urgent?

Mr. Marples

I agree that it is urgent. But I have been looking at the speeches made during the debate on the Budget in the last two days, and I find that almost every hon. Member who has spoken has said that Government expenditure should be reduced. If we implement the recommendations of the Jack Report, Government expenditure will be increased.

Mr. Ridley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that every branch line in my constituency has been closed; that not every one of my constituents has a motor car and that therefore there is a real problem? It may not be necessary to have a subsidy from the taxpayers' purse. Will the Minister say that he will study this problem most urgently and produce a policy fairly soon?

Mr. Marples

I will study it very urgently indeed, but the dispensation of Exchequer money is only too easy to a willing Minister.

Mr. Browne

In view of what he said about the speeches made during the last two days, is my right hon. Friend aware that it does not necessarily mean that he has to produce more Exchequer money in order to solve the problem? Is he aware that we want a proper debate on the problem, and that, as branch lines are being closed, we simply must have alternative forms of transport for people in the rural areas?

Mr. Marples

If my hon. Friend wants a debate, that is a question for the Leader of the House.

Sir C. Osborne

Will my right hon. Friend look at the possibility of allowing small independent bus operators to run local services in rural areas and not allow the big companies to object?

Mr. Marples

Certainly. If they wish to run services they can apply to the traffic commissioners for a licence.