§ 35. Mr. David Steelasked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction to British Railways to refrain from publishing newspaper advertisements inviting motorists to travel by rail, in view of the offence which is caused to those persons living in areas from which British Railways have withdrawn their services.
§ Mr. SteelIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the newspaper advertisements which appeared recently in theEdinburgh Evening Newssuggesting that people were more or less criminals unless they took the opportunity of travelling by rail? Is he further aware that this is offensive to people in those parts of the country where services have been withdrawn?
§ Mr. MurrayBritish Railways have a duty to themselves to encourage people to travel by rail. I do not see that it gives any offence to anyone who does not have a rail service. As the House knows, the hon. Member has been quite keen on the service mentioned.