§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he next intends to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss electrification of the Bradford-Leeds railway line.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Mr. David Mitchell)The chairman is well aware that I am willing to consider any proposals for electrification where there is a sound case.
§ Mr. MaddenDoes the Minister agree that rail passengers travelling between Bradford and Leeds are entitled to a first-class service that is fast, clean and comfortable, rather than the fifth-rate service that they now receive, which is slow, dirty and uncomfortable? When he next meets the chairman of British Rail, will he tell him that instead of subsidising sick public relations stunts, such as taking people to Sellafield on the first anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, he would be better employed submitting electrification proposals for the Bradford-Leeds line, which would help to give passengers a better service, to combat unemployment, to expand local industry and to promote tourism?
§ Mr. MitchellThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that, during the past 12 months I have paid two visits to Bradford, both by rail. The hon. Gentleman spoke about the level of services between Leeds and Bradford and asked for a first-class service. I must tell him that responsibility for the level of local passenger services in West Yorkshire rests with the passenger transport authority.
§ Mr. WallerIs my hon. Friend aware of the multimillion pound investment in new rail services, including new stations and the latest and most modern trains, that is being embarked upon by the West Yorkshire passenger transport executive? This more efficient use of resources is a clear rebuff to the forecasts of Opposition spokemen, who claimed that bus deregulation would spell the end of rail services because they would be unable to compete with buses on the most profitable routes.
§ Mr. MitchellMy hon. Friend is perfectly correct. I am also grateful to him for his invitation to visit his constituency later this week, when I shall have the opportunity to ride on some of those buses.
§ Mr. MeadowcroftIf the responsibility for services rests locally, surely the Minister is not suggesting that the local community should electrify the lines? Does the Minister appreciate that electrification may well bring advantages that will enable other stations to be opened between Leeds and Bradford, including west Leeds? The benefits of through-running will be greatly appreciated by people in Pudsey and west Leeds as well as Bradford.
§ Mr. MitchellElectrification is a matter for British Rail to propose. British Rail proposes and Ministers dispose.
Our record of approving electrification proposals for British Rail is one that should give the hon. Gentleman some cause for complimenting the Government. Between 1974 and 1979, when the Labour Government were in office, £71 million worth of electrification was approved. Since 1979, under the Conservative Government, no less than £476 million worth of electrification has been approved. I believe that the figures speak for themselves.
§ Dr. HampsonIn the context of the development of the Channel tunnel, does my hon. Friend agree that electrification will be an important factor in preventing the relocation of northern companies in the south-east? Will he assure us that he will consider the development in Yorkshire of a new freight terminal, possibly with free port status, to assist companies to stay in the north?
§ Mr. MitchellMy hon. Friend is absolutely right to draw attention to the considerable advantages to the north that will come from the Channel tunnel with the possibility of direct through services for both passengers and freight.
With regard to the development of freight terminals in Yorkshire, British Rail will report back to me in July with its report on the freight side, which will say where it wants those terminals.