Railways

HC Deb 11 May 1977 vol 931 cc519-21W

13. Mr. Whitehead

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards improved productivity on British Railways.

42. Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with current levels of productivity on British Rail.

Mr. William Rodgers

I always welcome improved productivity in transport, as we must all do, throughout British industry.

14. Mr. Daryell

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards trunk route electrification on British Railways.

Mr. William Rodgers

I look at any schemes the Railways Board submits to me on their merits.

Mr. O'Halloran

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Central Transport Consultative Committee and other bodies on proposals to replace rail by bus services; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. William Rodgers

I have noted the views of the Central Transport Consultative Committee on the Railways Board's proposals and I have heard many other views from time to time.

32. Mr. Ron Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any estimate from the British Railways Board of the number of track miles on which passenger services may have to be withdrawn by 1986 in the event of a continued flat investment level for British Railways beyond 1981.

Mr. William Rodgers

No, not of that precise kind.

37. Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with rail passengers about future rail policy.

Mr. William Rodgers

Frequent; as a rail passenger myself I am always listening and taking note.

40. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present track mileage of British Railways; if any plans exist to cut down on this in the next year; and whether any agreement on this has been arrived at with the National Union of Railwaymen, the Amalgamated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Footplatemen, and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association.

Mr. William Rodgers

22,311 on 1st January 1977. I know of no such plans; the question of agreement, therefore, does not arise.

41. Mr. Gwynfor

Evans asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of railway lines have been closed in Wales during the last 20 years; and how many remain fully active for freight and transport.

							(£million at outturn prices)
	…	…	…	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976
Eastern	…	…	…	18.7	22.6	30.1	47.2	39.2
London Midland	…	…	…	28.3	25.7	24.3	30.9	29.0
Scottish	…	…	…	14.1	12.0	10.8	17.1	15.8
Southern	…	…	…	14.7	18.3	23.9	28.6	21.1
Western	…	…	…	10.0	11.1	13.2	16.3	11.9

Investment not directly attributable to any one region has not been included.