HC Deb 27 October 1976 vol 918 cc454-5
9. Mr. Buchanan

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he intends to alter the methods for the appraisal of BRB capital projects.

Mr. William Rodgers

Not at the moment.

Mr. Buchanan

I add my congratulations to my right hon. Friend on his appointment. The Minister responsible for transport has been left out of the Cabinet for too long. In any reappraisal, will my right hon. Friend recognise the tremendous export potential in transport technology being developed in the workshops of British Rail? Will he take steps to ensure that the know-how and the patent rights are not sold to overseas competitors? Will he also ensure that the workshops are utilised to the fullest capacity?

Mr. Rodgers

I very much appreciate my hon. Friend's kind remarks, and the similar remarks made by other hon. Members this afternoon. I am glad that my hon. Friend has drawn attention to the high technology embodied in British Rail workshops and throughout British Rail generally. We have every reason to be proud of this and I shall do all I can to encourage the export potential.

Mr. Marten

As profitability is relative to capital investment, will the Secretary of State tell us when British Rail will make up its mind about the proposed discontinuation of the carriage of racing pigeons by rail?

Mr. Rodgers

British Rail was halted midway in its decision. In view of representations made, it is now formulating a view which may or may not be different from the one which it held hitherto.[Interruption.] I put it that way because this is one area in which a certain neutrality by the Minister is desirable.

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