§ 12. Mr. Bessellasked the Minister of Transport if he will publish the number of complaints on every aspect of the service offered by British Railways during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1964; and if he will provide the figures for each region of British Railways.
§ Mr. SwinglerComplaints about British Railways services are received by the Railways Board at headquarters, regional and local levels. Some are made to Transport Users Consultative Committees. Correspondence received by my Department on railways management matters and sent on to the Board also includes some complaints, not separately recorded. It is impracticable to compile from all these sources the figures requested.
§ Mr. BessellWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask
§ Mr. ManuelWill my hon. Friend ensure that before any final solution is arrived at there is the closest consultation with the major local authorities concerned in this matter?
§ Mr. SwinglerOf course the local highway authorities are very much concerned in this, as are a large number of scientists and researchers, and we hope to make available to the local authorities the results of the technical investigations now being carried out.
§ Following are the details:
§ him whether he is aware that there is very considerable disquiet about the number of complaints received, particularly by Western Region, about breakdowns in diesel locomotives, passenger goods, particularly small passenger goods traffic, and delays in the passenger service generally? Is any action being taken to correct this?
§ Mr. SwinglerThese are questions about management and they should be submitted in the first place to the regional management. If they are serious they should go to the T.U.C.C.s. However, if there is considerable disquiet, I will see what can be done if the hon. Gentleman will inform me about it.
§ Mr. Peter MillsWould the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many of my constituents would like the chance of complaining to the Minister, but, unfortunately, he is closing so many of our lines that they are denied this chance? Will he ask his right hon. Friend to reverse his decision on the Barnstaple-Bideford-Torrington line?
§ Mr. SwinglerI think that we are coming on to the hon. Gentleman's lines in a moment. However, his constituents, as far as I know, have had a very full opportunity of going to the T.U.C.C.s.