§ 19. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Transport whether he has now considered the report made to him for 1969 by the Central Transport Consultative Committee for Great Britain; and what action he proposes to take in the light of the committee's expression of concern at the serious and continuing unpunctuality of express trains operated by British Railways.
§ Mr. MurrayYes, Sir. We have noted the concern expressed by the committee on the question of unpunctuality. The Railways Board fully recognises its management responsibility in this matter, and I am assured that it is making determined efforts to effect an improvement.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend's own committee has expressed its deep concern that, despite the advances in modernisation and the closing of a number of lines, punctuality has not improved as might have been expected? Is the Minister prepared to do something about this if the British Railways Board will not?
§ Mr. MurrayThis is a matter of management for the board. It is, quite naturally, concerned about this, and is taking action to improve punctuality.
§ Mr. BagierIs my hon. Friend satisfied that timetables published by British Railways are realistic? Will he ask the British Railways Board whether it is not asking its staff to keep to an impossible timetable?
§ Mr. MurrayThis is a matter of day-to-day management, and I feel that it is not my right hon. Friend's job to intervene.