§ 5. Mr. Raphael Tuckasked the Minister of Transport to what extent the sales and marketing organisation of the liner trains is already developed to the end that when liner trains are in full operation they will be fully utilised; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisThis is a matter for the Railways Board, but my right hon. Friend has no doubt that its marketing arrangements will keep pace with the development of services.
§ Mr. TuckIs my hon. Friend satisfied with the present state of the sales and marketing organisation? Is it being exploited to its fullest extent, and will he give an assurance that everything will be done to ensure that liner trains are fully utilised so that there is no waste?
§ Mr. MorrisTo all those questions, yes.
§ Mr. WebsterIf there are to be increased sales, will the Minister give to all customers the right of free access to the railway depôts?
§ Mr. MorrisIf the hon. Gentleman will contain himself, he will recall that there is another Question on this matter on the Order Paper.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorTo assist the House in considering the hon. Gentleman's question, would the Minister state clearly what loss or profit has been made by the liner trains since they came into operation?
§ Mr. MorrisAgain, the hon. Member should contain himself. There is another Question on the Order Paper on this point.
§ Mr. HoggIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the difficulty in this Parliament is to get Ministers to contain themselves?
§ 14. Mr. Peter Walkerasked the Minister of Transport what consultations she has had with the Road Haulage Association on the co-ordination of the private road haulier and the railways in the liner train service.
§ Mrs. CastleThis was one of the topics discussed when I met the Road Haulage Association yesterday.
§ Mr. WalkerCan the right hon. Lady say whether she gave the Road Haulage Association an assurance that under the National Freight Corporation its members will have free access to the terminals or be able to deliver the goods themselves by their own lorries?
§ Mrs. CastleIt would be the intention of my transport policy that the fullest possible use should be made of the railway system by all concerned.
§ Mr. MappWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind in this case that the political significance of the liner trains far outweighs the economic significance which will accrue to the railways? Will she bear in mind that if, as one hopes, these liner trains are successful, they will carry in their time a due proportion of the overheads?
§ Mrs. CastleI must tell my hon. Friend that I believe that considerable economic benefit will come to the railways from the liner trains. I believe, too, that it is in the interests of the railways and of railwaymen for us to encourage everybody possible to put freight on the railways.
§ Mr. WalkerWill the right hon. Lady now answer my question? Will the members of the Road Haulage Association have the choice of free access to the terminals or of delivering goods themselves in their own lorries?
§ Mrs. CastleThe hon. Gentleman asked me a question about the National Freight Corporation. He must await the White Paper.
§ Mr. William HamiltonCan my right hon. Friend say whether these consultations with the Road Haulage Association were concerned with prices as well? Will she give an assurance that the Government will stand as firmly against the Road Haulage Association as they have done against the N.U.S.?
§ Mrs. CastleYes, Sir. Not yesterday, but on a previous occasion, I discussed with the Road Haulage Association its lamentable defiance of the Prices and Incomes Board. I believe that this is a matter which reflects seriously on the willingness of the Association to serve the national interest. I can give my hon. Friend the assurance for which he asked.