HC Deb 02 March 1983 vol 38 cc227-9
3. Mr. Home Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake a review of public transport services in Scotland in the light of the recommendations of the Serpell report on the railways.

Mr. Younger

These services are kept under regular review. The Select Committee on Scottish Affairs examined rural road passenger transport and ferry services last year. I see no need for a further review now.

Mr. Home Robertson

I am a member of the Select Committee. Does the Secretary of State recall the reply that was given on 20 January by his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport to his parliamentary private secretary, the hon. Member for Moray and Nairn (Mr. Pollock), in which he described the Aberdeen-Inverness line as a branch line? Does that not reveal that the Department of Transport knows little and cares less about Scottish transport services? Will the right hon. Gentleman give a categoric assurance that the basic Scottish rail network is guaranteed.

Mr. Younger

After the hon. Gentleman's first remarks I feel that I should congratulate him on being appointed to the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs. It sounded as if he was expecting that. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has made it clear that he is closely concerned with the entire rail network. It is not the Government's intention to seek substantial reductions in its size. The Serpell report is a contribution to the discussion of the issues involved, and that is what should now proceed.

Dr. J. Dickson Mabon

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is time that we spent more money on the Scottish railway system and commissioned fewer reviews? Is he aware that the Strathclyde passenger transport executive is conducting a review, not because it wishes to reduce railway services in the region, but because it is under financial pressure to do so? Is that not wrong?

Mr. Younger: I cannot agree with the implication of the right hon. Gentleman's question. The public purse, to which everyone contributes, is providing nearly £1,000 million a year to keep the railways going. Surely the right hon. Gentleman, with his known economic knowledge, will recognise that that is a sound contribution to keeping the network going.

Mr. Bill Walker

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is unfortunate that Scottish railway workers should suffer because of the restrictive practices that are being operated in the south that will not allow new technology and equipment to be used? What is more important is that, with so many Scottish Conservative Members of Parliament representing constituencies north of Edinburgh and Glasgow, it is extremely unlikely that the lines will be closed.

Mr. Younger

I am not aware of any new restrictive practices in Scotland that are preventing the proper operation of the railways. I should deplore any that were introduced. It is in the interests of all railway men in all parts of Britain to welcome new techniques and procedures in running the railways. When all is said and done, the railways are in competition with other forms of transport and they have their own future to think about.

Mr. Dewar

Does the Secretary of State remember the interesting interview that he gave to the Sunday Standard that was published on 9 January? He was reported as saying that there was no way—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will paraphrase it.

Mr. Dewar

I was paraphrasing deviously, Mr. Speaker. If I may say so, "paraphrase" has a very proper ring to it. I shall paraphrase on this occasion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that he said that there was no way in which the Government would agree to a drastic reduction of the present railway network and that by and large he intended to keep the system as it is? Will he confirm that that is Government policy? If so, will he explain that to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, who continues to refuse to rule out the drastic and unpleasant options canvassed in the Serpell report?

Mr. Younger

With respect, the hon. Gentleman has got it wrong. All that I have said, including that which he has paraphrased, is consistent with what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has said. The hon. Gentleman knows that my right hon. Friend has frequently re-emphasised that the Serpell report is not Government policy. It spells out a number of different options that have not yet been adopted. There should now be general discussion on the basis of the information that is contained in the report. As I and my right hon. Friend have made clear, the Government are not envisaging a new programme of substantial cuts in the network.