HC Deb 29 June 1966 vol 730 cc1767-8
19. Mr. Loveys

asked the Minister of Transport what assurances she sought, during her discussions with the London Transport Board on the financing by Her Majesty's Government of the Board's deficit, regarding the formulation of proposals by them to secure economies of manpower.

Mr. Swingler

My right hon. Friend has been assured that the Board is making progress in achieving economies in manpower, for example, by rationalising maintenance work, extension of one-man bus operation, and modernisation investment. For the longer term, the Board is working towards automation on its railways. My right hon. Friend will be keeping closely in touch with it on these important matters.

Mr. Loveys

Does the hon. Member really think that this goes far enough? Will not the Minister—who is very outspoken in so many respects—make public her condemnation of the union for its failure to abandon restrictive policies in the industry?

Mr. Swingler

These matters are now being closely considered by the London Transport Board and the union on the basis of recommendations made by the Prices and Incomes Board. Those considerations have already proved satisfactory, since it is only a few weeks since agreement was reached on one-man bus operation. My right hon. Friend has made new regulations allowing for experiments in vehicle design for the carrying of passengers, and progress on this is being made.

20. Mr. Berry

asked the Minister of Transport what information regarding the effects of restrictive practices she was given by the London Transport Board during the discussions on Government financial assistance to the Board.

Mr. Swingler

As much as required to agree the Board's estimates of what could be achieved by improvements in productivity, over the years to which the financial assistance relates.

Mr. Berry

Does not the Minister agree that such assistance given without a guarantee of increased productivity will be completely contrary to the views of the Prices and Incomes Board? Will the Minister please approach this matter in a less one-sided way than the Road Haulage Association?

Mr. Swingler

There is no one-sided approach. My right hon. Friend is in close touch with the Board, which is responsible and accountable to her. The Board is negotiating with the unions. It has agreed that these productivity measures should be carried out. My right hon. Friend has already made regulations providing for greater freedom for operators, in order to raise productivity.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Will the Minister recognise that the workshops are just as important as the operations in this field, and bear in mind the strong condemnation of the Select Committee of this House of the refusal of the Transport and General Workers' Union to admit of any work study of possible maintenance improvements?

Mr. Swingler

This is also a matter within the scope of the consultations which are going on between the Board and the unions over the whole field of productivity measures, and progress on these matters is being made.