HC Deb 08 July 1996 vol 281 cc11-2
9. Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to develop strategies for the more efficient management of Britain's transport needs. [34691]

Sir George Young

Greater involvement of the private sector and targeted public investment provide the key to a more efficient transport system.

Mr. Miller

Does the Secretary of State recognise the importance of the transport industry in my constituency? Does he recognise also that his policies have resulted in aging systems, aging trains on the network and the development of gridlock? Local authorities are unable to meet requirements because of Government policies. When will we have a coherent transport policy? Does the Secretary of State believe that the dogma of privatisation and deregulation is adequate for our transport needs?

Sir George Young

As to the hon. Gentleman's constituency, following completion of the Hooton-Ellesmere Port rail electrification, design work is being completed. Planning permission has been secured to provide greatly enhanced access to Ellesmere Port railway station direct from Westminster road bridge. There are several other schemes in the pipeline with which I am sure the hon. Gentleman is familiar.

The hon. Gentleman will know that we published a few weeks ago a Green Paper that sets out clearly the Government's transport strategy. A few minutes ago, I heard criticism of the current roads programme from the Opposition Front Bench; it was clearly implied that it should be undertaken at a higher level. We want to know how that higher level would be funded.

Mr. Wilkinson

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that efficient management of air transport forms a part of Her Majesty's Government's overall transport strategy, particularly greater use of existing airports such as Luton, Stansted, Gatwick, Heathrow—hopefully with a fifth terminal—and Farnborough? The latter should have corporate aviation facilities; trying to turn RAF Northolt into an airport makes no sense.

Sir George Young

I know my hon. Friend's views about the matter, which are shared by some of our hon. Friends in neighbouring constituencies. I understand that a meeting has been arranged with my noble Friend Viscount Goschen, at which they will have an opportunity to make their views even clearer.