HC Deb 03 July 1974 vol 876 cc375-7
15. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of passenger trains arrived at their destinations on time or within five minutes of their scheduled arrival times, respectively, in 1973; and what were the comparable percentage figures in 1972 and 1971.

Mr. Carmichael

I will, with permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Taylor

Does the Minister agree that British Rail's record has been improving, despite an improvement in the scheduled time in the inter-city services? Bearing in mind the substantial proposed increases in air fares between Glasgow and London, Aberdeen and London and Edinburgh and London, does the hon. Gentleman accept that the railways will in future be carrying a much bigger share of this inter-city traffic and that a further improvement in punctuality is therefore to be encouraged?

Mr. Carmichael

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. Quite apart from the increase in fares, an increase in traffic on the railways can be expected because of the greatly improved service on the West Coast route between Glasgow and London. There has been a very slight deterioration in time-keeping in the past three years, because of one or two exceptional circumstances which we hope will disappear very quickly.

Mr. Spriggs

Is my hon. Friend aware that the British Railways Board is now operating one of the finest passenger services in the world and that many of us hope for a great extension of those services to all parts of the country, including Scotland?

Mr. Speaker

Miss Boothroyd. Question No. 16.

Mr. Carmichael

I am sorry that I did not rise to reply to my hon. Friend. I thought he was continuing his supplementary question. I am well aware of the improved and excellent service that British Rail provides. It is certainly among the best in the world. I use the service to Scotland quite frequently and I can recommend it to hon. Members.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I share the Minister's surprise at a reasonably short supplementary question.

PERCENTAGE OF PASSENGER TRAINS
Express Trains Other Trains
On time Within 5 minutes of scheduled arrival time On time Within 5 minutes of scheduled arrival time
Year per cent per cent. per cent. per cent.
1971 … … 68 85 83 95
1972 … … 65 83 81 94
1973 … … 63 81 81 93