§ 13. Mr. Les Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the expected commercial operational starting date of the advanced passenger train.
§ Mr. FowlerI understand from the Railways Board that it plans to start operating the APT prototypes in commercial service later this year, but at the moment there is no firm date for their introduction. I am awaiting the board's latest appreciation of the prospects for the APT.
§ Mr. HuckfieldI thank the Minister for that information. Is he aware of some of the rumours and stories circulating that there may now be several years' delay because of technical troubles that the APT has encountered? Will he give the House some of the information that he has about the alleged technical troubles, and give an assurance that if there is any further delay it will not be on his part, through lack of money?
§ Mr. FowlerNone of the delay has had anything to do with Government policy or cuts in support. I can give the hon. Gentleman that categorical assurance. The three 872 prototypes are being modified to cure the tilt and braking system problems that have come up. There have been various other delays, stretching back to 1974. That is why it is important that the three prototypes go into service as early as possible.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-WilsonCan my right hon. Friend give any idea of the cost of the APT programme to date, and say whether it shows any export potential?
§ Mr. FowlerExpenditure on the project so far is £42 million. If it can be developed into a good production run and show itself in service, there could be export potential. But the most important thing is that the three prototypes get into service at the earliest opportunity.