HC Deb 08 July 1997 vol 297 cc441-2W
Mr. Coaker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recent decision by a major retailer to transport more of its goods by rail rather than road; and if he will take steps to encourage other retailers to do the same. [6558]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Government wants to see more freight go by rail, and we welcome new initiatives which support that aim.

Our White Paper on integrated transport policy, to be published next spring, will consider ways of increasing the proportion of freight carried by rail.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will consider including within future guidelines for transport policies and programmes submitted by local authorities a requirement to promote greater use of railways for freight, with special reference to the provision of inter-modal terminals. [7065]

Ms Jackson

Measures to promote the use of railways for freight transport are not funded through the Transport Policies and Programme (TPP) system and have therefore not been the subject of Departmental TPP Guidance to local authorities.

Our White Paper on integrated transport policy, to be published next spring, will consider ways of increasing the proportion of freight carried by rail, including the role of the planning system.