§ Mr. Peytonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the progress of the Government's policy of regionalisation of the railways.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe policy for the railways set out in the Railways Reorganisation Scheme (Cmd. 9191) has been progressively applied. All the area boards are fully functioning and the day-to-day management of the railways and responsibility for organisation within their regions have been delegated to them. Their responsibilities include the production of revenue budgets and the promotion of business. In all regions the operating and commercial functions have now been merged, and further decentralisation on a line or area basis has been introduced. This gives greater local autonomy, including wide latitude in applying the freight charges scheme, in getting and in carrying traffic. The members of the area boards who have come in from industry and public activities are making a most valuable contribution.