§ 27. Mr. Gordon Campbellasked the Minister of Transport what is his estimate of the cost to Great Britain's trade and industry of the Transport Act, 1968.
§ Mr. MarshI expect the Transport Act, 1968, to show a net benefit to the nation's trade and industry.
§ Mr. CampbellCan the Minister account for the massive discrepancy between his estimate and that of trade and industry themselves, whose assessment of the costs is a great deal larger?
§ Mr. MarshIf the hon. Member is referring to the recent figure which was quoted by the Road Haulage Association, the problem there is that I have seen the figure but I have not seen the calculations.
§ Mr. MolloyDoes my right hon. Friend realise that many people will measure the cost of the Act not merely on a financial basis, but on the fact that it will bring some sanity to this great industry and will ultimately improve the quality of life for those concerned?
§ Mr. MarshIn the course of political controversy over this issue there has been, I think, a great deal of exaggeration by hon. Members opposite on the cost to the economy. One can only recognise that they probably now feel ashamed of themselves.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineIs the Minister aware that trade and industry are major contributors to the rates? Will he, therefore, publish the cost to trade and industry of putting the railway loss on the backs of the ratepayers of Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool, as he has already published it for Newcastle?
§ Mr. MarshCertainly. The reason why it was published for Newcastle was that we had the figures available. There is no secret about these things. As soon as the figures for local authorities are available, obviously they will be given.