HC Deb 07 June 1978 vol 951 cc185-7
17. Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set up an inquiry to assess the effects of advertising on choice of method of travel.

24. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set up an inquiry to assess the effects of advertising on choice of travel methods.

Mr. William Rodgers

Not in the absence of good cause.

Mr. Crouch

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British Rail is now boasting of its great successes, at a cost of several hundred thousand pounds a year in advertising? What use is that to those who are compelled to travel by British Rail and suffer its growing inefficiency, as are commuters in the South-East?

Mr. Rodgers

I disagree with everything that the hon. Gentleman says. The efficiency of British Rail is improving. I believe that is widely recognised on both sides of the House. It is set out clearly in British Rail's most recent annual report. That being so, I see no reason for British Rail's not bringing to the attention of its passengers the facilities that it offers. I am glad to say, for example, that the advertising associated with the introduction of the HST on many new routes has been a great success. The high speed trains are now carrying up to 30 per cent. more passengers than the trains that were previously running.

Mr. Lewis

Is it not a fact that the more we have special offers the more complicated they become and the greater the advertising and administrative costs involved? Would it not be better if British Rail reduced normal fares and kept the price to the ordinary passenger within limits? It would then still get the increased numbers, without having to spend so much on advertising.

Mr. Rodgers

The hon. Gentleman may feel that he can run British Rail better than the present chairman. I think that these are largely management decisions, which ought to be made by those who are professionally qualified to make them. It seems that reduced fares, which hon. Members on both sides of the House generally want to see, must go with advertising so that people will know that they are available.

Mr. Clemitson

Has my right hon. Friend seen the advertisement which seems to make a virtue out of the comparison between British Rail and other Western European countries with regard to the degree of subsidy received by British Rail? Does he agree with British Rail's assessment of the situation?

Mr. Rodgers

I am not familiar with the poster. There can be a great deal of argument about exactly how subsidies here compare with those in other countries. The point of substance is that British Rail is providing an increasingly efficient service within rules and a subsidy agreed by the House. I think that it deserves the encouragement and good will of the House.

Back to