§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has completed his consultations with British industrialists regarding the movement of freight traffic from road to rail; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MulleyI wrote to about 100 companies on 22nd May inviting them to take part in discussions with the British Railways Board. The great majority have already agreed. Talks between British Rail and individual companies will begin as soon as possible, but by their nature they cannot be completed for some time.
§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the percentage by weight of goods traffic using British roads at weekends during June, July and August.
§ Mr. MulleyThe daily pattern of goods traffic is known in terms of the vehicle miles run by goods vehicles but not by weight. Between June and August 1973, 6 per cent. of the mileage of goods vehicles, other than light vans, was run on Saturdays and 3 per cent. on Sundays. Goods vehicles accounted for 3 per cent. of the total volume of motor traffic on Saturdays and 2 per cent. on Sundays.