HC Deb 03 May 1978 vol 949 cc222-3
11. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will invite the chairman of the British Railways Board and the chairman of London Transport to meet him together.

Mr. William Rodgers

If there is sufficient reason, yes.

Mr. Jenkins

Does my right hon. Friend regard it as sufficient reason to consider the situation where London Transport trains run on British Rail lines and through British Rail stations? Will he, in particular, draw the attention of the two chairmen to conditions at East Putney station, where this occurs, and to the fact that at the station the whole thing seems to be falling between two stools? Will he ask, in particular, for passenger-operated ticket machines to be installed, at long last, at East Putney station?

Mr. Rodgers

I am not familiar with that station, but I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing the matter to my attention. The London Rail Advisory Committee is seeking to get a degree of co-ordination where there has, perhaps, been too little in the past, and I shall make sure that it is aware of the problem to which my hon. Friend has referred.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Will the Secretary of State encourage the two chairmen to make better arrangements for British Rail season ticket holders when the train service is cancelled, so that they can use London Transport where there is a bus or Tube link?

Mr. Rodgers

That is precisely the sort of joint arrangement that the advisory committee should be looking at. It makes good sense, and I shall draw it to the committee's attention.

Mr. Spearing

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the advisory committee has few powers and, to date, does not have a great reputation? If he sees the two chairmen together, will he point out to them that before 1947 the receipts from all rail, bus, tram and trolleybus services were pooled, and that without such a pooling system there is a clash between the revenue interests of British Rail and London Transport—a clash that is at the bottom of many of the problems that we have at present?

Mr. Rodgers

I agree with what my hon. Friend said about the powers of the advisory committee, but not his remarks about its reputation. It is a relatively new body and it has been working well. It seeks to achieve its objectives by agreement and influence, which is the only way, given the complex problems of the city. I take my hon. Friend's point about the experiences of some years ago. They have consequences which are difficult for passengers.