§ 11. Mr. Galbraithasked the Minister of Transport what estimate she has made of the percentage reduction in the total volume of traffic on the roads which would result from bringing into force her proposals to limit lorry loads by a quantity control.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe total amount of traffic likely to be diverted to rail under the combined influence of the new freightliner services and quantity licensing will be of the order of 10 per cent. of road ton-mileage.
§ Mr. GalbraithThat does not answer the Question. I want to know how much less traffic there will be on the roads—not ton-traffic. How much less traffic will there be on the roads, in percentage terms?
§ Mr. MorrisThe hon. Member is asking an impossible question. It would differ with every road. Traffic flows vary, as anyone who is a motorist, as I am, knows full well. But in particular spots it will have a very marked effect on congestion. If I may give one illustration, the effect of the southern end of the M1 could be as much as 30 per cent.
§ Mr. ManuelHow significant will quantity control be for the railway industry in percentage terms? Will not that 412 control have a significant effect on congestion on our roads?
§ Mr. MorrisMy hon. Friend—like some hon. Members opposite occasionally—is interested in reducing the rail deficit. This will have a substantial and significant effect on the rail-tons carried. It could amount to 30 per cent. of the rail-ton mileage. That would have a significant effect on British Railways.
§ Mr. GalbraithEven assuming that the percentage is as large as 10 per cent., does it justify restricting the right of traders to send their goods by the transport system which is most suited to them and imposing this additional burden on the export industry?
§ Mr. MorrisI am sure that the House will agree that it is right to have a more rational distribution of traffic which goes by road and by rail.