HC Deb 13 July 1999 vol 335 cc157-9
11. Mr. Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford, South)

What progress he has made in setting up the Strategic Rail Authority. [89485]

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Mr. John Prescott)

We introduced the Railways Bill to establish a Strategic Rail Authority. It will provide a national vision for developing Britain's rail network and tougher regulation to put the passenger first.

Mr. Sutcliffe

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer and for the way in which he is dealing with transport issues across the board. Does he agree that the Opposition's privatisation, which has made many profits, has meant that my constituents are still travelling on rolling stock that is 30 years old, and has led to late trains and overcrowding? Does he understand the need for action now rather than merely the theory?

Mr. Prescott

We certainly do. The Railways Bill is designed to achieve that. The shadow Strategic Rail Authority is already working on those matters—monitoring the commitments that we received at the rail summit; identifying where and how the rail network needs to be developed; and beginning the process of franchise renegotiations. That will ensure higher priority for the passenger—rather than what we saw under the previous negotiations, which were more concerned with privatisation and a dash for cash.

Mr. Nick St. Aubyn (Guildford)

Last year, I initiated an Adjournment debate on railway noise; since then, other debates have been held on that subject. What will the new authority do to prevent the disruption of the lives of so many people who live near railways and who are not taken into account by Railtrack and others when works are being carried out?

Mr. Prescott

New and quieter trains will be introduced, instead of the old railway stock that we were left with and that was utilised by the privatised system. The purpose of the rail authority is to help with transport policy and to take into account the reduction of congestion. That is an important issue, especially in view of the fact that we have heard that the Opposition's new policy is supposed to help to reduce congestion. The description of that policy in The Times today as cheap populism is right. It will do little to reduce congestion; it will increase deaths on our roads and, frankly, will be neither cheap nor popular.

Mr. Lawrie Quinn (Scarborough and Whitby)

Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating the new integrated transport centre that has recently been opened at Whitby railway station? Is it not the case that, when the Strategic Rail Authority considers the development of integrated transport policy throughout the nation, our railways will need to be closely integrated? The public need more information and better access to public transport. That is what the SRA is about and that is what those policies are about.

Mr. Prescott

The House is aware of my hon. Friend's expert knowledge of transport. We have seen the provision of many more services, and more people are travelling on trains, especially since we were elected two years ago. We can now see the whole integration of our system because of our requirement that trains and buses should connect. There is much more integration of the system than we have ever witnessed before.

Mr. John Redwood (Wokingham)

Given the Deputy Prime Minister's strong anti-car policies, his trip in a helicopter to the British grand prix—that mecca of the finest gas-guzzlers in the world—was a thirsty way of travelling and was a mistake. Instead, should he not have gone to a cycle race by train to show us the new Labour way, and sent an apology to Bernie Ecclestone? Does he accept—[Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. I will have order in this House—this is disgraceful behaviour.

Mr. Redwood

Does the Deputy Prime Minister accept that his Railways Bill was cancelled last year by No. 10, delayed this year by No. 10, and may arrive, late and battered, some time? Does he know that the railway industry is fed up with his indecision and the uncertainty that he generates? With him, it is jams today and jams tomorrow, bash the motorist and bash the train companies. When will he listen to the advice of the Prime Minister and change policy to avoid standstill Britain? When will he give railway companies the assurances and certainty that they need to get on with the job?

Mr. Prescott

The question reflected what The Times said of the Opposition's policy—cheap and populist. It does not address the substance of the issue, nor does it show any responsibility for those matters. We shall continue to put the serious arguments as to transport; we look forward to the debates that we shall have with the right hon. Gentleman. The Railways Bill is before the House, but the shadow Strategic Rail Authority is already working on the problems; it is beginning the renegotiation of the franchises, and considering the network and improvements to our railway system. The rail summit showed us the positive benefits of the targets that we set.