§ 3.10 p.m.
§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the report of the Joint Steering Group now engaged in studying the railway network of this country; and, if so, when it may be expected.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PUBLIC BUILDING AND WORKS (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)My Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport hopes that by mid-summer the Group, under the chairmanship of the Joint Parliamentary Secretary will have reported on those aspects of their remit which are likely to affect forthcoming legislation: It is too soon to say when they will complete the whole of their task. The results of the Group's work will become evident when the new transport legislation is published.
§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORDMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply to my Question. Is he aware that the factors on which the Government evaluate the future of the railway service will be of very great interest to the whole country, because on the one hand it affects their convenience, and on the other it affects their pockets? Does he not think that they are entitled to know just what factors the Government have taken into account?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I would agree with the noble Lord that the public, quite rightly, wish to know as much as possible of the background and the reasons for the Government's decisions in this field. However, the Report of the Joint Steering Group may well include details of the Board's organisational structure and commercial policies which for normal commercial reasons they will wish to keep confidential. It is for this reason that it is not intended to publish the Report in full. However, it is expected that the Group's recommendations will be reflected in legislation, and both in pre 612 senting that legislation to Parliament and also in a White Paper which she hopes to issue my right honourable friend will explain the reasoning behind the proposals.
§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORDMy Lords, if I may pursue the matter with one further question, what I am really asking for is a modernised version of the last Beeching Report, which gave a very comprehensive view of the railway system of the country and its future. Would the noble Lord ask his right honourable friend whether she would kindly consider that?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I shall certainly convey to my right honourable friend the noble Lord's suggestion. I know that it is the general intention that the reasoning behind the legislation shall be made clear to Parliament.