HC Deb 09 February 1977 vol 925 cc1419-21
11. Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to meet the Chairman of the National Freight Corporation.

Mr. William Rodgers

Shortly.

Mr. Viggers

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that comprehensive reply. When he next meets the Chairman of the National Freight Corporation will he tell him that the grounds put forward currently by the NFC for requiring a further £50 million are far from clear? Will the right hon. Gentleman, without further delay, publish the report on the NFC by Coopers and Lybrand, which has been in his hands since last summer, so that we can all see what the country is getting for its money?

Mr. Rodgers

I do not think that it would be any more proper for me to publish a confidential commercial report of that kind than that I should expect such reports to be published in different circumstances affecting the private sector. I take the hon. Gentleman's point. We discussed this matter on the Second Reading of the Transport (Financial Provisions) Bill recently. The Bill will shortly be going into Committee, and the hon. Gentleman will no doubt be free to pursue the matter in detail there.

Mr. Raphael Tuck

When my right hon. Friend next meets the Chairman of the National Freight Corporation will he discuss with him the unfair competition between rail and heavy commercial lorries, which are being cross-subsidised by non-commercial users of roads? Is he aware that, for example, the wear and tear on roads made by a 12-ton lorry is 160,000 times the wear and tear made by a car? Will he bring in a differential system of taxation?

Mr. Rodgers

My hon. Friend has made some important points, which are familiar not only to the House but to the Chairman of the National Freight Corporation. There are later Questions on this matter on the Order Paper.

Mr. Moate

Does the Secretary of State realise that his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers) was grossly unsatisfactory? How can he ask the House for £50 million as an interim grant without giving any information about the restructuring proposals for the National Freight Corporation? If he will not publish the Coopers and Lybrand report, will he tell us what his proposals are?

Mr. Rodgers

I should not wish to deny the House any relevant information about restructuring. I am sure that that will be one of the matters that will be discussed when the Bill goes into Committee. If there is any further information that I can give the House, I shall do so. I made clear on Second Reading that a number of changes were being made. I shall keep the House fully informed.

Mr. Jay

As the Government are so much in need of revenue, how soon will they introduce the heavier taxes on large lorries, which were recommended months ago by the Government in thir own consultative document?

Mr. Rodgers

I cannot speak for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. As my right hon. Friend knows, certain progress was made in the course of last year's Finance Bill. This matter was made clear in the consultative document, as my right hon. Friend said. I entirely accept that heavy lorries are paying less than their fair share for wear and tear on the roads.

Mr. Raphael Tuck

Many thousands of pounds less.

Mr. Hal Miller

Will the Secretary of State tell the House whether, in advance of his meeting with the Chairman of the NFC, he sent him a copy of the revised first draft directive, dated 2nd June 1976, for the assimilation of national taxation systems on heavy lorries? If so, why is it not yet available to hon. Members?

Mr. Rodgers

The answer is that I did not send it.