HC Deb 28 October 1970 vol 805 cc205-7
18. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions since 24th July he has intervened to prevent proposed fare increases on British Railways.

The Minister for Transport Industries (Mr. John Peyton)

None Sir.

Mr. Judd

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that for many people fares are an unavoidable expenditure and that, therefore, increases are directly inflationary? Does the Minister recall the specific pledges on prices, particularly those in nationalised industries, made by the then Leader of the Opposition during the General Election? Does he agree that his own inaction, coupled with yesterday's statement, finally reveals those pledges as nothing more than a cheap and despicable deceit?

Mr. Peyton

The hon. Gentleman is entitled to his view. The level of railway fares, as he will be well aware, is a matter for the railways. As to the rest of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I think that he should congratulate his right hon. Friend, the Leader of the Opposition, on the acumen which he showed in choosing the date for the General Election at such a time when he would avoid having to face the nasty consequences of his own policy.

Mr. Barnett

Did the Chancellor's statement yesterday represent any change in the Government's policy on intervention in the case of social lines? If it did not represent any change, what did it mean?

Mr. Peyton

If the hon. Gentleman were to address that question to my right hon. Friend—[Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman asked me about what my right hon. Friend said yesterday. He should address a Question to him.

Sir G. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend make abundantly clear that the policy of Her Majesty's Government is that the nationalised industries should be commercially viable, should pay their way, and should eternally show a proper return on the net capital sum vested in each of them? Will he desist from "Meddlesome Mattie" policies and exhortations from hon. Gentlemen opposite?

Mr. Peyton

Yes, Sir. I cannot say with what pleasure I accept my hon. Friend's advice and reject that tendered to me by the Opposition.

Mr. Mulley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that yesterday the Chancellor said that a review of the grants for unremunerative lines was in progress? Will he tell us whether that is so and when it will be completed? Is he also aware that whenever the question of closing a railway line arises, the most vehement protests come from Conservative Members in this House and Conservative local authorities?

Mr. Peyton

The right hon. Gentleman has spoken his lines well. He ought to put down a Question. The point does not arise on this Question.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Reverting to the wording of the original Question, may I ask on how many occasions, since 3.30 p.m. yesterday, British Railways have been in touch with the Minister about the gratuitous fare increases which the Chancellor has imposed?

Mr. Peyton

Going back to my original Answer, "None, Sir."