§ 27. Mr. Danceasked the Minister of Transport what are the circumstances under which approval has been given to the expenditure of £6 million on the replacement of British Railways road vehicles which will now become National Carriers Limited; and by what authority this financial provision has been made for this.
§ Mr. CarmichaelInvestment of just over 5 million on replacement of obsolete vehicles was essential to the efficient operation of this company's services. My right hon. Friend authorised this as part of his statutory control over investment in the publicly-owned transport undertakings.
§ Mr. DanceIs not the real truth that the vehicles are so badly maintained by British Railways that they will not pass the plating and testing requirements at the moment? Will the hon. Gentleman use his powers of persuasion on the Chancellor to see that the private operator gets the same help in borrowing as does this public company?
§ Mr. CarmichaelI must refute the suggestion that these vehicles are badly maintained. Of the 12,000 vehicles and trailers tested so far under the Ministry testing schemes, substantially less than 1 per cent. have needed a paid re-test. This compares with a national average of about 25 per cent. The whole point of the replacement of these vehicles is that they were becoming increasingly uneconomic to maintain to the appropriate high standards which are demanded.