§ 30. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the Transport Act, 1968, in order to enable British Rail to apply for social grants on railway lines, the passenger service of which was withdrawn prior to the passing of the Transport Act, 1968, thus precluding British Rail from applying for social grants therefor.
§ Mr. AdleyIs my right hon. Friend aware that that is a disappointing answer in view of the more enlightened attitude of the Government towards rail transport? Does he appreciate that in the battle between road and rail there were many, particularly urban, lines for which British Railways would have sought a grant had they been able to do so under 400 the 1968 Act and which they now feel might so qualify? Will my right hon. Friend look sympathetically at any such requests he might receive from British Railways?
§ Mr. WalkerIt is very much in the interest of British Railways to be given freedom on the closure of passenger services, as was given in 1966, to be able to dispose of their resources for the better use of British Railways.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettIs the Secretary of State aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport Industries is considered in my area to be a most arrogant Minister who has refused to meet local government officials and councillors to discuss the social grant, although this issue is vitally important to the people of the area? Will he have a word with his right hon. Friend about this query?
§ Mr. WalkerI am not aware of that. I have always found my right hon. Friend courteous and not in the slightest degree arrogant. I remind the hon. Gentleman that it was my right hon. Friend who brought in proposals which provide the most generous capital to British Railways in their history.