§ 9. Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Transport how many passengers were carried by British Railways in 1968; and what were the comparable figures for 1967 and 1966, respectively.
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe approximate figures are: for 1968—831 million; for 1967—837 million; and for 1966—835 million.
§ Sir G. SinclairNo doubt the hon. Gentleman is pleased with this sustained level of travel. What is he doing to restore the slashed investment programme of the railways, especially the reduced investment on the Southern Region, where the service is far less than that to which the passengers are entitled?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe subject of railway investment is another question. It would, however, be wrong to say that there has been a slashing of railway investment. A great deal of effort has been put into the design and ordering of new stock for the Southern Region, some of whose stock, as we are well aware, is rather old. On the other hand, the Southern Region presents a tremendous problem because of the vast numbers travelling on it during the peak periods.
§ Mr. John HyndWhile the figures appear to indicate a considerable overall reduction between 1967 and 1968, has 25 there not been a considerable increase on the electrified lines? In view of this, will my hon. Friend consider expediting the electrification programme in the interests of the viability of the railways as well as of safety and mobility on the roads?
§ Mr. CarmichaelI am not sure that my hon. Friend heard the figures clearly. They were 831 million in 1968 and 837 million in 1967. The reduction was, therefore, 0.75 per cent. Of course, we do not like to see any reduction but the figures are reasonably steady, although we naturally hope for an improvement. Where appropriate, electrification can bring not only more passengers but more viable services, and obviously my right hon. Friend looks at any suggestions for improvements very thoroughly and in the most favourable light.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorWas not my hon. Friend the Member for Dorking (Sir G. Sinclair) right in emphasising the relevance of investment to passengers carried? The hon. Gentleman says that there has been no reduction in expenditure in the last four years, but is not railway investment down from £120 million to under £90 million? Is not the outlook grim?
§ Mr. CarmichaelI did not say that there had been no reduction. I said that investment had not been cut in the catastrophic way suggested. The number of passengers carried shows that the railways, even with this reduction in investment, are doing very well.