§ 27. Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the Railways Board to improve facilities for passengers at railway stations.
§ Mr. MurrayNo, Sir. This is essentially a matter of management for the Railways Board.
§ Mr. MilneIs my hon. Friend aware that this is a disappointing reply, and that something will have to be done to jog the Railways Board into giving passengers the facilities they require at stations? It is not good enough to pass this off by saying that it is a day-to-day matter; the Ministry must do something about it.
§ Mr. MurrayMy hon. Friend can make representations directly to British Rail or to the appropriate transport users consultative committee.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorDoes the Minister agree that one serious problem which causes hardship to old people in particular is the absence of seats in some of our splendid new stations? Will he at least discuss this matter with British Railways?
§ Mr. MurrayAgain, this is a matter of day-to-day management for British Railways. No doubt the hon. Member has made his representations known elsewhere.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is not altogether a matter for British Railways, in that the Government have reduced the capital investment programme of British Railways by nearly one-third and, as a result, curtailed the Railway Board's capacity to provide these and other much-wanted facilities?
§ Mr. MurrayAs usual, that is an entirely different question.