§ 49. Mr. Mappasked the Minister of Transport when the studies will be concluded of track and policing costs of road and rail transport and of the support costs to air transport operating on routes within Great Britain.
§ Mrs. CastleMy Department's current studies of road and rail transport costs and demand are comprehensive and will take a considerable time to complete, but I expect some preliminary results early this summer.
§ Mr. MappIs my right hon. Friend aware of the three studies that have already taken place on this subject, one of which was conducted by her own Ministry? Is she further aware that they were all in conflict with each other? Could we now have an authoritative study with the results made available to us even before, if possible, publication of her White Paper on general policy—which itself should be as soon as possible?
§ Mrs. CastleI assure my hon. Friend that he will be able to have the results of what will be a completely reliable study. But, as I have said, I do not think these results will be ready before the early summer. I have been under pressure from the House to produce the White Paper before that.
§ Mr. MonslowSince the railways are an integral part of the economic life of the nation, should not the construction, maintenance and policing of the railways be placed to the Defence Estimates?
§ Mrs. CastleI agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, but I am not sure that his suggestion in the second part would be acceptable.