§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up an inquiry into the operations of British Rail and British Road Services, with power to make recommendations on the best methods to be employed to run the corporations profitably.
§ Dr. GilbertNo.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of total freight is actually carried by rail; and what percentage could be carried on existing rail facilities.
§ Dr. GilbertAccording to provisional figures for 1974, the railways carried 17.5606W per cent, of total freight movement, measured in ton-miles. No meaningful calculation can be made of the capacity of the railways to handle more freight with existing facilities since much would depend on the origin, destination, timing and nature of the consignments.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Enviironment what percentage of total freight was carried by road in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Dr. GilbertAccording to provisional figures for 1974, road transport accounted for 86 per cent, of freight tonnage and 65 per cent, of ton-miles.