§ 2.34 p.m.
§ LORD FORBESMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether—
- (1) British Railways are (a) carrying more or less freight now compared with just prior to fuel rationing: (b) intending to adopt the Dutch D.A.F. container or any other method for moving freight by rail and road;
- (2) they are satisfied that British Railways are taking the necessary steps to encourage greater movement of freight by rail.]
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, British Railways are now carrying less freight than they were immediately before fuel rationing was introduced on December 17 last, but only slightly less than they were carrying at this time a year ago. Having regard to the general downward trend in freight traffic, and particularly merchandise traffic, last year 82 the figures suggest that some traffic which was transferred to the railways during fuel rationing has been retained.
The Dutch D.A.F. container device has now been studied in all Regions, and British Railways have built a prototype, on similar principles but to a different design. This device is, however, comparatively expensive, and although it may show the way towards a more effective method of transferring containers between road and rail vehicles, British Railways are at present inclined towards the development of the simpler types of transferable containers of improved payload adapted for different traffics. Inquiries for suitable lifting apparatus for these larger containers have gone to the trade.
As to the second part of my noble friend's Question, the British Transport Commission fully realise that it is vitally important to British Railways to reverse the present decline in railway freight traffic and to develop the traffics for which the railways are best suited. The improvements in rolling stock, marshalling yards and terminals, which are necessary to give speedy, reliable and competitive services, take time to introduce, but the programme is well up to schedule. In the meantime, British Railways are, by such measures as the more effective use of staff and equipment, the development of special facilities like the Export Express Service and the adoption of a fully commercial charging policy, doing their utmost to increase the attraction of their services.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, however carefully the noble Lord has worded his reply—and I would ask him to accept my congratulations on the cleverness of it—it cannot be disguised that British Railways are losing freight, and would he not agree with me that this is entirely due to the actions of Her Majesty's Government in "messing about" with a very fine transport system instituted by the late Government?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, if the noble Lord, Lord Lucas of Chilworth, expects me to agree with that, he would expect me to agree with anything.
§ LORD FORBESMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his very comprehensive reply, and to say how extremely glad I am to hear that the Transport Commission attach so much 83 importance to the moving of freight. But when are we going to get the freight from the roads on to the railways? There is a lot of talk about it, but little seems to happen. Cannot the British Transport Commission make up their minds to do something, instead of always thinking, during which time nothing happens.
§ LORD MANCROFTI am afraid I cannot agree with most of that question either. In any case it goes a good deal further than the noble Lord's original Question.