§ 37. Mr. Walter Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake to make available to the House reports prepared by the Department of Transport Industries concerning the size of the railway network before these are published in the Press.
§ The Minister for Transport Industries (Mr. John Peyton)I will report to Parliament as soon as the review of rail policy is completed.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recent "leak" to the Press about the future size of the railway network caused widespread alarm and despondency among railwaymen and the general public? In view of the Minister's obvious dislike for nationalised industries, which he has expressed in the House, it is essential for him to give a categorical assurance that there will be no reduction in the size of the railway network.
§ Mr. PeytonI cannot give any assurance of that kind at this stage. However, the hon. Gentleman must recall the facts. First, it was a working document which was published—very unfortunately, I think—and it caused quite unnecessary and avoidable anxiety. The map which was attached to it was totally without authority. I am sorry that this occurred. It simply caused, over a large part of the railway industry, anxiety which could have been avoided.
As for the hon. Gentleman's statement that I dislike nationalised industries and all that they stand for, he must judge from the facts, which are that whereas the Administration of his party closed over 2,000 miles of railway route, 230 miles have been closed since I have been in office.
§ Mr. BradleyBut does not the right hon. Gentleman recall his words on nationalisation generally in the House on 27th July? Will he stop fudging the issue? Will he take this opportunity of 1000 assuring the House and the country that the study published by the Sunday Times will not become Government policy? Is it not essential to devote more money, not less, to investment in the railways?
§ Mr. PeytonThe hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that in asking the present Administration to devote more money to the railways he is pushing at an open door. By comparison with the record of his party when in office we have devoted enormous sums of money to the railways. The hon. Gentleman knows that £145 million have been applied to the support of the railways in the current year.
I am absolutely clear about my intentions. When the current review has been completed the Government will wish to put it to Parliament. I hope that there will then be revealed a series of choices, so that the Government, Parliament and the country can consider the size of railway system that they want and the price they have to pay for it.