Mr Reginald Eyre: Perhaps it will help at this stage if I confirm that the scheme, including the increased payment of £22,500, is available to all registered dock workers in all the ports in the country.
Mr Reginald Eyre: I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. The Bill is needed to implement the Government's decision to write off part of the debts of the Port of London Authority and the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. As I understand that a number of right hon. and hon. Members wish to speak in this debate on matters relating to ports, it may be for the convenience of the House if I make a...
Mr Reginald Eyre: The hon. Gentleman is quite right. A new offer of £22,500 will be available as from today.
Mr Reginald Eyre: I regret that I cannot answer that in detail now, but I shall be glad to write to my hon. Friend explaining the position. As I was saying, the registered dock workers' claim would represent a 30 per cent. increase in basic rates and add £3 million to the PLA's wages bill. I do not see how anyone can argue that such a huge increase is defensible or realistic when inflation is so low and when...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I listened to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Mr. Steen) with interest and sympathy, particularly as I am aware of his deep concern for the quality of life in cur great cities. I understand his concern that the withdrawal of the sleeper services between Liverpool and Manchester and London could injure the prospects for the economic recovery of the north-west. I have...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I am sorry to hear what my hon. Friend says. I shall draw it to the attention of the British Railways Board. First, I should explain that, with the exception of the service between Glasgow and Edinburgh and Inverness, all of British Rail's sleeper services form part of the intercity sector. It is common ground between this Government and the previous Labour Government that inter-urban travel...
Mr Reginald Eyre: That matter has not been raised specifically in connection with the debate, but I note that my hon. Friend properly raised the matter of Holyhead. I am told that the point that he made about refurbishment and the use of older sleeping cars may be relevant to the case that he has in mind. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that point. I assure him that I shall ask the British...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I know that my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeet) has been seriously concerned for a long time about the issue that he has raised tonight. I note that my hon. Friends the Members for Bedford and Luton, West (Mr. Carlisle) are supported by the presence of my hon. Friends the Members for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Madel), St. Albans (Sir V. Goodhew) and Luton, East (Mr. Bright) and my...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I am seeking to answer that question to my hon. Friend's satisfaction. Let us examine the reasons why the new trains are still standing idle in Cricklewood sidings. Diver-only operation of trains on the Bedford-St. Pancras line was one of the six productivity points in the twin agreements on pay and productivity which formed part of the 1981 railway pay settlement. There then followed a full...
Mr Reginald Eyre: Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend and I have made it clear that we will do everything we can to encourage the railway engineering industry to seek and win overseas orders.
Mr Reginald Eyre: The hon. Gentleman raises a number of questions, but he knows that the problems of over-capacity that have arisen in BREL, which have been given active consideration during the past year, throw upon BREL and BR the responsibility to organise their affairs to the best advantage. The Government have strongly encouraged exports. They have helped through ministerial visits, support for ...
Mr Reginald Eyre: British Rail must make its commercial decisions about the allocation of work. The Government want to see more investment in the railways, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, that alone will not solve the problems of BREL. We must take account of the technical changes that have taken place in the running of the railways—for example, wagon loads, the new style of wagons, their more efficient...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government want an efficient, competitive railway engineering industry that can supply British Rail and win overseas orders. His question relates to the responsibility of BREL and BR in conducting the affairs of the company to its best advantage.
Mr Reginald Eyre: The feasibility of a rail link to Stansted airport has already been established. Whether the link will be needed will depend on the decision on the proposed expansion of the airport.
Mr Reginald Eyre: My hon. Friend knows that the Government have made it clear that they intend to provide a rail service to link the expanded airport with London. But a decision will not be taken before the outcome of the inquiry is known. British Rail's earlier study estimated a cost of about £170 million at 1980 prices. The detailed work currently under way shows scope for reducing that cost. I note my...
Mr Reginald Eyre: I note the hon. Gentleman's opinion.
Mr Reginald Eyre: My hon. Friend mentioned a factor that must be taken into account when the outcome of the inquiry is known. I know that he will understand that the decision on the airport will be taken by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Trade and for the Environment.
Mr Reginald Eyre: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that point. It will be taken into account in due course.
Mr Reginald Eyre: The right hon. Gentleman will have to await the outcome of the inquiry, and we cannot yet estimate when that will be.
Mr Reginald Eyre: The networks described in the Serpell report are broad illustrations, and not specified in sufficient detail to enable me to make the estimate requested.
