HC Deb 14 January 1991 vol 183 cc607-8
11. Mr. Cartwright

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss the quality of services on Network SouthEast.

Mr. Freeman

We have regular meetings with the chairman of British Rail, at which we discuss a wide range of issues.

Mr. Cartwright

Does the Minister understand that last week's tragedy at Cannon Street station has merely reinforced the fear felt by many commuters from south-east London and Kent that they are being forced to accept a second-class service? Welcome though the new Networker trains will undoubtedly be, they will not automatically bring relief from sudden cancellations, late running, dirty carriages, unhelpful staff and unmanned stations. When will British Rail give those captive commuters a quality of service that would justify the ever-rising fares?

Mr. Freeman

As the hon. Gentleman knows, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State will be making a statement in due course about the tragic accident at Cannon Street station.

The introduction of new Networker trains for the Kent inner routes, which will commence in September, will bring an improvement in the quality of service and, with the lengthening of platforms, will definitely reduce congestion. The hon. Gentleman is right to point to other qualitative factors on Network SouthEast that have not been dealt with. We and British Rail—Network SouthEast in particular—are considering how those problems should be addressed.