HC Deb 08 March 1967 vol 742 cc1509-10
27. Mr. Webster

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the railway deficit is attributable to railway workshops.

Mr. John Morris

None, Sir. The revenue account of the Railways Board does not reflect trading results of the railway workshops as such.

Mr. Webster

Have the railway workshops now an adequate system for the allocation of facilities, and can the hon. Gentleman say what is the percentage of profitability expected from the manufacturing capacities devoted to containers for liner trains?

Mr. Morris

Workshop activities are reflected either in the capital account of the Board as the cost of assets acquired, or in the revenue account in the same way as expenditure on repair work undertaken by outside contractors. All work is subject to tender, normally in competition with private trade, and orders are placed on merit.

Mr. Francis Noel-Baker

Is my hon. Friend aware that the railway workshops never were and are not now unfairly subsidised? On the contrary, under the previous Government any unfairness was weighted in favour of the private sector.

Mr. Morris

I can give every assurance that the railway workshops compete effectively with outside industry, and certainly, as I understand it, railway men do not wish to be subsidised in any way.

Mr. Harold Walker

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Doncaster railway workshops consistently have quoted lower prices for locomotive manufacture than the private manufacturers for many years? In spite of that, the manufacture of locomotives has been concentrated in private monopoly. Will he not therefore carry out a review of this?

Mr. Morris

I agree to look at any facts brought to my attention by my hon. Friend, but this is a matter for management.