§ 63. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Transport what reply he has sent to the representations, in the letter to him from the hon. Member for Swindon, dated 12th March, and from other hon. Members, regarding his refusal to permit British Railways to take orders to build tank wagons for private oil companies, and for other wagons and containers for private rail users; and whether he will now reverse 23W this decision, in view of the considerations that have been brought to his attention and of the public concern that has been expressed.
§ Mr. MarplesI wrote to the hon. Member on 9th March in reply to his original letter of 4th March on this subject. I did not think his second letter called for a further reply, particularly as the matter is shortly to be debated in this House. I do not intend to reverse my decision.
§ 64. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Transport, what enquiries he made, when considering proposals by the British Railways Board for construction and manufacture under Section 13(4) of the Transport Act, 1962, regarding the nature of the costing at British Railways workshops in respect of the manufacture of wagons and containers; if he is satisfied that no advantage is taken of subsidies from public funds or by concealing overheads; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarplesThe problem here is not one of disguised subsidy or concealed overheads; it is the inevitable issue of allocating overheads in an organisation carrying out a large volume of repair work as well as new manufacture. I am assured by the Board that it makes this allocation quite fairly; but I have thought it proper, as I have already told the House, to reserve my right at any time to examine the validity of the costing arrangements of the Board's workshops.