HC Deb 21 December 1938 vol 342 cc2918-20W
Captain Plugge

asked the Minister of Transport whether the railways, in their new appeal for unfettered control of rates, have given any detailed indication of the policy they would adopt in that case; and whether he proposes to ask for detailed information on the subject?

Mr. Burgin

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The matter is now before the Transport Advisory Council, who will no doubt elicit from the railway companies such further information as they may consider necessary.

Sir D. Thomson

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage return on capital expenditure on docks, harbours, and wharves is earned by the four main line railway companies; and whether, as the port of Aberdeen is bound to meet its obligations on capital charges yearly and this results in the users of the port of Aberdeen and the railways subsidising in part the users of railway-owned docks and the railways, he will take this into consideration when reviewing the question of railway rates?

Mr. Burgin

The latest year for which I have figures enabling me to state the percentage return earned on the capital of railway-owned docks, harbours and wharves is 1936 when the position was as follows:

The results of working the railway docks during 1936 were considered by the Railway Rates Tribunal in 1937 in connection with the companies' application for an increase in rail charges and in their judgment of 27th July, 1937, they said: We are not satisfied that the net revenue resulting from the operation of any of the dock businesses of any of the companies is, having regard to all the circumstances, unduly low, and are not of opinion that any of the railway companies at any of its docks is not making adequate charges. The railway companies' proposals as to rates for merchandise traffic have been referred to the Transport Advisory Council on which the harbour and dock interests are represented.

Mr. Joel

asked the Minister of Transport whether the railway companies, in presenting their proposals to his Department, informed the canal companies of their intention to do so; and what steps are being taken to ensure that the point of view of canal interests is adequately taken into consideration?

Mr. Adamson

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered representations from the canal companies concerning the railway companies' proposals on rate fixing; what was the nature of the representations; and can he make a statement?

Mr. Burgin

The canal interests are represented on the committee of the Transport Advisory Council which is considering the railway companies' proposals.

Mr. Adamson

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the terms of reference under which the Transport Advisory Council is considering the proposals of the railway companies regarding rate fixing; and whether the council has met and what procedure it is adopting?

Mr. Burgin

The terms of reference under which I have remitted the proposals of the railway companies to the Transport Advisory Council are as followsTo consider the memoranda which have been submitted to the Minister of Transport by the Railway Companies' Association in connection with the proposal of the main fine railway companies that the existing statutory regulation of the charges for the conveyance of merchandise traffic by railway together with the requirements attached thereto, including such matters as classification, publication and undue preference, should be repealed and to make recommendations. The council met on 15th December and appointed a committee to deal with the matter: I understand that this committee proposes to sit to-day and tomorrow and to take all possible steps to expedite its work.

Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an assurance that in the negotiations resulting from the representations made to him by the railway companies, or their representatives, he will not agree to any modifications of existing arrangements which might have the result of raising freight charges on agricultural produce?

Mr. Burgin

I am not in a position to make any statement until I have received and considered the report of the Transport Advisory Council, to whom the railway companies' proposals have been referred. I would remind the hon. Member that trading interests (including agriculture) are represented on the council.