HC Deb 20 June 1979 vol 968 cc1302-4
9. Mr. Sainsbury

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will institute an independent inquiry into methods of improving productivity at British Railways.

Mr. Fowler

Improved productivity is certainly of the first importance for the railways. I would rather see an early and successful outcome to the board's current negotiations with the unions than the setting up of an inquiry.

Mr. Sainsbury

Does my right hon. Friend accept that commuters and other rail travellers will put up with inevitable increases in fares only if they are satisfied that the board is doing all that it reasonably can to improve the efficiency and productivity of the railways? If he is not satisfied with the outcome of the present negotiations, will he institute an independent examination?

Mr. Fowler

I share my hon. Friend's concern about the matter, but I would rather see a successful outcome to the current negotiations than the institution of an independent examination. What my hon. Friend says about productivity is correct. I remind him of the remarks of the board's chairman, that productivity is the rock upon which we must build the future of the railways. I entirely agree.

Mr. Cryer

Will the Minister assure the House that there will be no pressure from the Government to lower the standards of safety on the railways in order to increase productivity? Will he accept from me that if there were a number of rail accidents near Hove, for example, the hon. Member for Hove (Mr. Sainsbury) would be pressing for more employment on the railways if that meant better safety standards? Does he agree that the safety standards of British Rail are among the best in the world?

Mr. Fowler

I agree that British Rail's safety standards are among the best in the world. Nothing will be done to reduce them. Nevertheless, I am sure that the hon. Gentleman recognises that there is considerable scope for savings in productivity. I believe that it is common ground between those hon. Members who are interested in railways that it is sensible to make those savings.

Mr. Forman

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the need to raise productivity in all parts of the British Rail system is not assisted by politically motivated statements from Messrs. Ronksley and Weighell about matters on which they have no proper competence or authority to speak?

Mr. Fowler

The NUR agrees that productivity is an important element in the solution to British Rail's problems. I believe that it shares the view that better productivity is one of the keys to the future of the industry.

Mr. Stoddart

Would not one of the best ways to improve productivity on the railways be to bring forward the railway electrification programme? Does the Minister agree that the programme would have the added advantage of saving short oil supplies? Does he propose to bring forward that programme? Will he make grants available to the British Railways board?

Mr. Fowler

The hon. Gentleman knows that a review of the electrification proposals is taking place between British Rail and my Department. I expect to have an interim report in the summer and a full report by the autumn. We shall then be in a position to announce conclusions.