HC Deb 24 October 1988 vol 139 cc9-11
9. Mr. Cran

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of British Rail; and what matters were discussed.

Mr. Portillo

My hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met the chairman of British Rail on 5 October. A variety of railway matters were discussed, including the Government's approval of investment in new rolling stock.

Mr. Cran

Does my hon. Friend agree that British Rail's cost-efficiency programme appears to have been achieved mainly at the expense of consumers, which is evidenced by poor timekeeping, overcrowding and dirty carriages? In view of that, the deficit that British Rail enjoys and will continue to enjoy, and the fact that British Rail is incapable of providing a decent link between Humberside and London and almost every other part of the United Kingdom, will my hon. Friend tell us when he will bring forward a privatisation programme, because it seems to me that a privatised British Rail could hardly be worse than the one we have?

Mr. Portillo

My hon. Friend is a well-known defender of the interests of his constituents, but he should pursue some of those matters with British Rail. The Government have set quality of service targets for punctuality, reliability and cleanliness and InterCity is close to achieving all those objectives. In reply to the last question that he asked, he will know that my right hon. Friend has confirmed that privatisation is an option that we are actively studying.

Mr. Kennedy

Given the front page report in The Times today about the five different options which are being considered and which will possibly be outlined by the Secretary of State later this week—or some combination thereof—may I ask whether any discussions have taken place with the chairman of British Rail in advance of that with a view to being able to offer any degree of security to the railway lines in the north and Highlands of Scotland, because many of us with local knowledge find it hard to believe that any system of privatisation would lead to the future security of those vital rail links?

Mr. Portillo

We have given undertakings that we are not looking at a large proposal for the closure of railway lines. I remind the hon. Gentleman that in 1988–89 £609 million was provided in PSO grant, of which £434 million was for provincial services. In 1989–90 the figure will be £533 million, of which £383 million will be for provincial services. The hon. Gentleman is being hasty in jumping to the conclusion that there are any implications in the privatisation discussions for the matter with which he is concerned.

Mr. Burns

Will my hon. Friend draw to the attention of the chairman of British Rail the urgent need for something to be done to stop the disgraceful scenes that have taken place on many evenings at Liverpool street station, where City lager louts are terrorising commuters travelling to Chelmsford and Southend.?

Mr. Portillo

I know that the chairman is extremely concerned about that because he wishes to provide a secure and safe environment for his passengers. It is as well to pay tribute to the British Transport police, who play an important part in controlling such situations at stations.

Mr. Redmond

Does the Minister agree that British Rail provides an excellent service from Doncaster to London and that privatisation could not improve that service? Will he mention that to the knockers behind him?

Mr. Portillo

I hope that the hon. Gentleman, who finds satisfaction with the service, will inform the chairman of British Rail of that, because he receives a lot of complaints and I am sure that he will be pleased to hear that praise.

Mr. McCrindle

Are there any plans to discuss with the chairman of British Rail, and more particularly with the chairman of London Regional Transport, the worrying development of the arrival of the vigilante group, the Guardian Angels? Does my hon. Friend agree with British Transport police that that is a potentially dangerous development and that it would be far better to devote increased resources to the British Transport police, who continue to perform valuable work?

Mr. Portillo

I have already paid tribute to the British Transport police and feel sure that if they feel that there is any constraint on their resources they will find a way of letting the Government know.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Does the Minister understand that constant references to privatisation threaten the integrity of the British Rail system and raise apprehensions about railway lines other than the most profitable? Does he further understand that leaks to the press do nothing for the morale of British Rail and that he is putting a blight on all initiatives from British Rail? If the Minister is to discuss those matters, what about discussing them with the House of Commons instead of with Lobby correspondents?

Mr. Portillo

The hon. Gentleman could no doubt use an Opposition day to discuss those matters if he wishes. I have every confidence that British Rail is not finding it difficult to pursue its programmes. The management of British Rail has been extremely entrepreneurial, forward-looking and effective, and I have been impressed by it.