HC Deb 12 February 1996 vol 271 cc651-2
24. Mr. Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about public transport in Greater Manchester. [13041]

Mr. Norris

Public transport in Greater Manchester is primarily a matter for the local authorities and the operators concerned. Subject to financial constraints, the Government will continue to consider funding worthwhile public transport schemes in Greater Manchester.

Mr. Bennett

Does the Minister accept that the MetroLink in Greater Manchester has been a huge success? However, if it is to thrive it needs to have four or five lines added. Does the Minister welcome the current consultations about extending the MetroLink towards Tameside? However, it is no good having permission to build the extra lines if the money is not forthcoming.

Mr. Norris

I can certainly assure the hon. Gentleman that we believe that the viability of the system and its usefulness to Manchester is greatly enhanced as it expands, but I know that the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that affordability is the key constraint. I cannot give him a commitment at this moment as to the funding of extensions to the system which already have statutory approval or those which are in various stages of preparation, but I can say that we shall continue to consider them as part of the package of proposals made by Greater Manchester.

Mr. Jenkin

With regard to public transport in the Manchester area and the effect of fraud in relation to public transport, has not the greatest fraud been the great nationalisation experiment perpetrated by left-of-centre Governments, which has failed, and should we not look forward to the end of nationalisation?

Mr. Norris

My hon. Friend is entirely right. The bus industry has never thrived as it thrives now, entirely in the private sector, and long may it prosper. It will not have escaped my hon. Friend's attention that all the criticisms so often levelled by the Labour party at the railway system in this country are criticisms levelled at a nationalised railway, and that outside this place the general public cannot wait for the advantages that the private sector will bring to enhance the quality of rail services.