HC Deb 12 January 1977 vol 923 cc1431-2
23. Mr. Bagier

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has now received the report of the British Railways Board's review of its rail freight operations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. William Rodgers

Not yet.

Mr. Bagier

I hope that the report, when received, will contain proposals that the major movers of freight in Britain should be urged to utilise the rail system more fully than at present. Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it makes sense, accepting that we own these highways, fully to use the capacity they provide?

Mr. Rodgers

I entirely agree about making the best use of the available capacity of the railways. I am very happy to draw attention again to the extent to which the railways can provide a very effective, efficient and worthwhile freight system. Perhaps I should simply say that as the studies have worked out they should be seen as a continuing process of revising assumptions about the freight business, and it may be that I shall not receive a report in the formal way which was hitherto, perhaps, expected.

Mr. Stephen Ross

When the right hon. Gentleman receives the report from British Railways, will he ensure that a siding is provided to Covent Garden Market, because there is some important business for British Railways to pick up from the South African fruit trade there?

Mr. Rodgers

Yes, I can give that undertaking.

Mr. Spearing

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the route between Manchester and Sheffield by the electrified ex-Great Central line is now entirely a freight service? In respect of his comments about good freight services, why are British Railways contemplating abandoning a line that was electrified as long ago as 1948 and from which all passenger services have now been withdrawn and putting on a non-electrified line between Sheffield and Manchester? Would it not be better to revert to the original plan?

Mr. Rodgers

I would not want to make any assumptions about British Railways' intentions for that line or any other line. If we want to have effective rail freight services, we must allow British Railways a large element of discretion to pursue their studies and make their decision. I should like to believe that rail freight could be a profitable business.