§ 18. Mr. Higginsasked the Minister of Transport if he will make estimates of the potential costs and benefits from policies designed to reduce variations in peak and off-peak travel on commuter roads and railways.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe costs and benefits vary so widely according to local circumstances that the available data preclude the preparation of meaningful national estimates.
Considerable savings could be made, however, if peak demand could be spread and the efficiency of peak hour transport improved, and we are looking at measures which might help in this respect.
§ Mr. HigginsI accept the difficulty of doing this on a national basis, but does my hon. Friend agree that the amount of congestion and waste of resources in London caused by rush hour traffic is quite appalling? As a first step, will he consider whether Government Departments might stagger working hours?
§ Mr. ClarkeI entirely accept what my right hon. Friend says about the considerable waste of transport resources and other problems caused by peak hour travel in London. Certainly I agree that flexible and staggered hours make a valuable contribution, and most Government Departments are in the process of introducing flexible working hours wherever possible.
§ Mr. Ioan EvansIs the hon. Gentleman aware that President Carter is encouraging the use of public transport? Do we not need to look at the cost benefit 1771 of having an integrated transport service so that goods transported by juggernaut lorries are transferred to the railways and people are encouraged to travel by public transport?
§ Mr. ClarkeI can only repeat what has been said already—that we appreciate the role of public transport. The public transport system of the Americans is deficient compared with our own. Our problems are not camparable with those of America. We already give priority to public transport where it is desirable and within the resources available.
§ Mr. DykesIs it not rather unadventurous of British Rail to say "No" to the idea of reducing fares so as to attract more customers on all routes? Will my hon. Friend look at this again, because it seems very negative for British Rail to say that it is unconvinced of the merits of such a course of action?
§ Mr. ClarkeBritish Rail has to make its own judgment about whether the proposed cuts in fares will generate enough additional traffic for it to maintain its financial targets. British Rail has a very wide range of fare bargains designed to appeal to travellers. The new family railcard is the latest example.