HC Deb 09 April 1984 vol 58 cc10-1
11. Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has discussed with the chairman of the British Railways Board the effect of Government investment on the availability of wagons for coal freight movements.

Mr. Ridley

No, Sir, but BR could count on my support for worthwhile investment if it considered it necessary. The hon. Member will recall that last year my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales made section 8 grants of more than £400,000 for four projects in south Wales for the carriage of coal by rail.

Mr. Anderson

Leaving aside the temporary difficulties caused by the strike, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, for financial reasons, British Rail is unable to carry all the freight, particularly coal, that is currently available, as it does not have enough conventional wagons to meet the demand? Is he also aware that in south Wales the National Coal Board has criticised the rapid rundown by British Rail of its wagon fleet, which will make inevitable a greater switch from rail to road, with all the consequent environmental problems for residents?

Mr. Ridley

That is not correct. There is no shortage of rail wagons, conventional or otherwise, capable of carrying coal. If there were, British Rail would certainly be allowed to make good the shortage.

I know that there are problems about handling coal trains, particularly at power stations and steel works in south Wales. British Rail is in contact with the other corporations involved and they are trying to solve the problems. I know that there is also a problem at the coal washery at Aberpergwm, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman the good news that when that problem is solved there will be rail traffic taking the briquettes from Blaenant to the power station, so there will be no shortage of opportunities for the railways.

Mr. Nicholls

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there are many reasons, not least the damage that would otherwise be caused to the roads, for greater emphasis to be placed on getting heavy transport, including the transport of coal, on to rail and off the roads?

Mr. Ridley

As I said in the objectives for the chairman of British Rail, we should welcome anything that British Rail could do to get more freight going by rail. Section 8 grants are available to help the private sector to accommodate more rail traffic. Since 1979 we have spent £29 million on these grants. We are doing all that we can, and so is British Rail.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that I wrote to him on this matter a short time ago after receiving representations from my local branch of the NUR? Does he agree that there is a need to keep traffic on the railways, not only because of congestion on the roads, but because of the present lack of maintenance of the roads?

Mr. Ridley

There is no problem here. British Rail is not short of the necessary wagons. The business has to be arranged between British Rail and its customers, and I know of no problem. I do not know what the worry is all about. I hope that if there is a worry, hon. Members will write to the chairman of British Rail and let him know what it is.