§ 1. Mr. Galbraithasked the Minister of Transport what he estimates the total cost of running the British Railways, which is not covered by receipts from customers, will be this year.
§ 48. Mr.Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Transport what is the latest estimate of the British Railways deficit for 1968.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Neil Carmichael)We still expect the Railway Board's deficit in 1968 to be contained within the £152 million on which the Vote Estimate is based.
§ Mr. GalbraithI do not know whether that was the answer that I was hoping to get. Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether, as a result of the changes in the Transport Bill, the taxpayer will have to pay more or less money in future to maintain the railways and the rest of the transport system?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe hon. Gentleman asked what would be the deficit this year and I gave him the estimate of £152 million. The projected estimate given as a result of the Transport Bill is £55 million for socially necessary lines. If the hon. Gentleman wants more information, perhaps he will put down another Question.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneWas not one of the purposes of introducing the Transport Bill to enable the deficit on the railways to be reduced? Is the hon. Gentleman now saying that this will not be achieved this year?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThere is a later Question about that. The hon. Gentleman has the same trouble as his hon. Friend who asked about the deficit for 1968. We are not yet at the operative date of the Transport Bill when Questions on these lines may produce the information which hon. Members require.