HC Deb 07 June 1967 vol 747 cc1033-4
37. Mr. Galbraith

asked the Minister of Transport when she expects the committee at present examining railway finance will report; and whether the report will be published.

Mrs. Castle

I hope that by midsummer the Joint Steering Group will have reported on those aspects of their remit which are likely to affect forthcoming legislation.

It is not intended to publish the Group's reports as such.

Mr. Galbraith

Would the right hon. Lady explain why it is not intended to publish the Group's reports? How is it possible for hon. Members to judge whether the money expended on keeping open social schemes is justified if they do not know the cost?

Mrs. Castle

The second part of the hon. Gentleman's question does not follow from the first. I cannot anticipate what the report will contain. It may well include discussion of the Board's organisational structure and commercial policies, which it would not be appropriate to publish in full. Therefore, I cannot guarantee that this can be published. Certainly the implications of the report will be fully represented in my legislation and the reasoning on which I base it will be made known to the House in a White Paper.

Sir G. Nabarro

Is the right hon. Lady satisfied with a loss of £130 million by the railways during the last operating year?

Mr. Peter Walker

They are more this year.

Sir G. Nabarro

Of course, they are. Is not that an essential ingredient in the matter of railway finances? Why should we be taxed so heavily to pay for railway losses?

Mrs. Castle

The hon. Gentleman can have only recently entered the Chamber, because he has just missed a very lively discussion of the deficit. One of the major purposes of setting up the Joint Steering Group is to examine organisational problems and commercial policy implications with a view to reducing the deficit.

Mr. Spriggs

When considering the Railways Board's finances, will my right hon. Friend also consider the social service which the Board provides for the community?

Mrs. Castle

Yes, certainly. Here, again, one of the things which the Joint Steering Group is undertaking is a study of those lines which are socially necessary, but not commercially viable, and to present to me policies on the principle of giving a subsidy to them.

Mr. Peter Walker

Can the right hon. Lady undertake to persuade her right hon. Friend the Leader of the House to allow a debate as early as possible on the railway accounts for 1966, which we have not debated, as that would be a debate which would enable us to discuss this and the frightening news that the deficit is going up still further?

Mrs. Castle

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the business of the House is arranged by my right hon. Friend in consultation with the usual channels.