§ 7. Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about fare levels on public transport systems.
§ Mr. David MitchellSince London Regional Transport announced its new fare levels from January 1988, my right hon. Friend has received no representations on the matter.
§ Mr. LloydWill the Minister confirm that the imposition of VAT on public transport fares will lead to higher fares for the consumer, to fewer passengers using public transport, and, ultimately, to greater congestion, particularly in the south-east? Is the Secretary of State still fighting in the Cabinet against VAT on public transport fares, or has it been agreed that transport will be given up to ratify the promises that the Prime Minister gave during the election as a deal for our European partners?
§ Mr. MitchellI have to say to the hon. Gentleman, as I think he will know, that VAT is entirely a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and that it would be improper for other Ministers to comment on that matter.
§ Mr. HindDoes my hon. Friend recognise that the level of fares in air transport is dependent upon efficient airports? What plans does he have for the future? Does he recognise that there is a real need to merge Manchester and Liverpool airports under one company, North-Western Airports plc, and privatise it?
§ Mr. MitchellWith great respect to my hon. Friend, I do not think that that supplementary arises on this question.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursHow would fare levels — which are based on route capacity on any air routeing— 596 from Carlisle to STOLport be influenced by the developments over the past few days, when civil airline pilots have been surfacing to make statements about standards of air safety in east London? Will the Minister set up an inquiry and interview each of the pilots who has made a statement, but not a public statement, saying that—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The first part of the hon. Gentleman's question was legitimate, but the question is about transport systems, not air safety.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe question is about public transport systems.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursExactly. We are talking about the Carlisle-STOLport potential routeing. May we have an inquiry into the statements that have been made by civil airlines pilots, which have not been drawn to the attention of the Department, and which the Civil Aviation Authority chooses to ignore?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat matter does not arise on this question.
§ Mr. HayesMy constituents do not object to paying more If they get a more efficient and better service. Is my hon. Friend aware that the 17.22 from Liverpool street to Harlow has never, ever, in its whole history, been on time? Does my hon. Friend agree that it is about time that that whole shambolic service was put into private hands?
§ Mr. MitchellI am sorry to hear about the difficulties that my hon. Friend has with the train service. I shall draw his comments to the attention of the chairman of British Rail. In fairness, my hon. Friend ought to recognise that over much of Network SouthEast a substantial investment is in the pipeline, and until that investment comes through the improvements that we are seeking cannot be achieved. Ministers are wholly behind commuters in wanting to improve standards. That is why we have been so generous in improving investment.