HC Deb 07 March 1973 vol 852 cc391-2
12. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now publish the proposed Green Paper on the alternative patterns of the railway system in Scotland.

Mr. Peyton

I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson) on 14th February.—[Vol. 850, c. 343.]

Mr. Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is acute anxiety in Scotland about possible cuts in the Scottish railway system? Will he take urgent steps to allay that anxiety? More particularly, since the announcement yesterday about North Sea oil revenues accruing to the Government in the next few years, will he reassess the situation in the light of possible further discoveries of North Sea oil and the consequent need for vastly improved transport facilities?

Mr. Peyton

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the effect of North Sea oil supplies on rail communications will be borne in mind. There is no reason for him to fear savage rail cuts in Scotland. In due course proposals will be put before the House and the public and will be fully discussed.

Mr. Brewis

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind the need for rail communications with Northern Ireland through the West of Scotland?

Mr. Peyton

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Baxter

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the railway system of Scotland is one of our great national assets, that it should be preserved to the fullest possible extent and utilised for the movement of goods free, gratis and for nothing, on much the same basis as the canal system of Central Europe? Will he bear in mind that we have to compete with European countries and that if we do not maintain a good transport system we shall ruin the outback of Scotland?

Mr. Peyton

I should be the last to throw any doubt on the suggestion that the railways can play an enormously useful part in our transport system. Indeed they can, and do. I should remind the hon. Gentleman, in view of what he said, of the very slight cut there has been in route mileage under this administration.

Mr. Mulley

The Minister frequently refers to the fact that he has not cut many miles of the railway system. Is he aware that every mile of railway that he has closed is against a decision that I or one of my predecessors in the Labour Government took to keep it open. Otherwise it would not have been there for him to close?

Mr. Peyton

I do not think that the right lion. Gentleman wishes to invite me to compare again the route mileage cut by the Labour Government and that cut by this Government.