HC Deb 03 June 1981 vol 5 cc914-5
6. Mr. Spriggs

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make a statement on the findings of the railway electrification review.

14. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State. for Transport when he expects a decision to be made on further railway electrification.

Mr. Fowler

I hope to be able to make a statement on railway electrification in the next few weeks.

Mr. Speaker

Order. Is the Minister answering question No. 14 with question No. 6?

Mr. Fowler

Yes, Sir.

Dr. Mawhinney

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is the Minister also answering question No. 21?

Mr. Speaker

No, I regret to say that he is not.

Mr. Spriggs

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the nation waits anxiously for a statement on electrification, as do the workers and management of BICC where recently a further few hundred men were put on the scrap heap? As electrification of the main line makes good sense and will give us a far better transport system, will he make a statement urgently?

Mr. Fowler

I have every sympathy with the hon. Gentleman's request. Electrification will affect not only British Rail but the private construction industry. As I said, although I cannot be categorical I hope to make a statement by the end of the month.

Mr. Adley

Will my right hon. Friend accept that enthusiasts for electrification earnestly await the decision, although we recognise the Government's role as guardian of the taxpayer's interests? Does he agree that the task of those who support electrification, and of Sir Peter Parker, who needs and is worth every penny that he is paid, is made immeasurably harder by excessive wage claims, which tremendously damage the prospects of the Government coming to a favourable decision?

Mr. Fowler

Our considerations include the commercial prospects of the inter-city and freight business. Productivity and the cost of labour must come into our examination.

Mr. Stephen Ross

Will the Secretary of State ensure that a statement is made by the end of the month? Is he aware that, like other hon. Members, I already have layoffs in one factory in my constituency, where the rate of unemployment is over 12 per cent., and electrification would help enormously?

Mr. Fowler

I am conscious of the demands, bat we are talking of substantial sums. Even the small option would cost £282 million over 15 years and the large option would cost £750 million over 20 to 30 years, so it is reasonable that the Government should have time to consider their position, although I hope to make a statement in the next few weeks.

Mr. William Hamilton

Has the Minister seen the report in The Times this morning that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at a Neddy meeting this very day, is to take a hard and rigid line against increases in public investment? Will he please not allow his statement to be influenced by the Chancellor's silly, stupid rigidity?

Mr. Fowler

I have not seen that report, although I have read a number of reports in The Times and one in particular. I would not recognise the hon. Gentleman's description of the Chancellor. The Treasury and the Chancellor are involved in the examination. I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman will have to wait a few more weeks.

Mr. Dorrell

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the increase in the cash limit announced this week for British Telecom, apart from entirely disproving the representation of the Chancellor given by the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton), is a valuable precedent that my right hon. Friend can use in his arguments with his colleagues to support rail electrification?

Mr. Fowler

I am always grateful for additional ammunition.