HC Deb 14 February 1994 vol 237 cc659-60
30. Mr. Raynsford

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department intends to spend in 1994–95 on publicity publications and public relations relating to the citizens charter.

Mr. David Davis

The charter unit has no separate publicity budget. Media, production and distribution costs for projects carried out by the charter unit are expected to be just over £1.6 million in this financial year. The budget for 1994–95 will be finalised shortly.

Mr. Raynsford

On the day when thousands of my constituents and millions of people throughout the country suffered long, cold waits and delays—presumably, once again, because the wrong type of snow was falling on our railway lines—will the Minister admit that what is required is investment to improve our public services, rather than the production of yet more charter brochures, which, as everyone knows, are simply not worth the cost of the paper on which they are printed?

Mr. Davis

Since the hon. Gentleman has raised the question of British Rail, rather than take his view, I shall take the view of Michael Patterson, the secretary of the British Rail passengers watchdog body, the Central Transport Consultative Committee. Mr. Patterson has said: The charter is definitely a good thing. The right to claim refunds when trains are late, or the giving of discounts on season tickets on lines where trains are unpunctual wouldn't have happened without the Charter. That puts pressure on the management of British Rail to run the service properly and to make sure that trains are on time.

Mr. Dickens

Was not it the Conservative party which gave workers their rights, tenants their rights, parents their rights, passengers their rights and hospital patients their rights? This is the only party which has had the guts to come up with legislation to ensure that people are provided with the services to which they are entitled.

Mr. Davis

As ever, my hon. Friend is exactly right. I should add that the Labour party is always happy to talk about rights, but is never happy to do anything about delivering them. These charters give information about the rights that people, in their dealings with public services, can expect. They encourage improved performance and they are worth the very small amount of money that goes into supporting them.

Mr. Winnick

In view of the Conservative Government's appalling record—an all-time low—what will the hon. Gentleman's Department do to improve their reputation? Bearing in mind the fact that the Department is responsible for public relations, may I ask why it has so miserably failed the Prime Minister?

Mr. Davis

As ever, the hon. Gentleman is even less well-informed than members of his own Front Bench. We are not responsible for public relations.