New Minister promises to listen and learn

24th September 1976, Page 95

24th September 1976

Page 95

Page 95, 24th September 1976 — New Minister promises to listen and learn

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THE NEW Secretary for Transport, Mr William Rodgers, does not intend to be pushed around by vocal and powerful special interest "lobbies." He stressed this at his first press conference on Monday in the context of the many views expressed on the Government's consultation document on transport policy.

"It is not my job to bang heads together," said the Minister. "While it is entirely reasonable for responsible people to fight their corner vigorously all concerned with transport policy must accept that some degree of compro mise is necessary. listen and learn, but I won't be bullied."

Mr Rodgers refuted any suggestion that there has been an inter-departmental power struggle, following the hiving-off of the Transport Ministry from the Department of the Environment. "My task is to ensure that the transport system fulfils the national need for economic growth, and this must be reconciled with social needs."

The Minister said an early responsibility would be the examination of the causes of disruption at recent highway inquiries. He felt his Ministry had an obligation to explain the need for new roads and to listen to objectors.

The resentment of people whose homes were liable to disruption was entirely understandable and he would look for remedies in the inquiry procedure in a sympathetic spirit. He had, in fact, opposed the building of the Stockton motorway, in his constituency, because he believed it was a nonsense.

On the split of responsibilities between the Transport and Environment Departments Mr Rodgers said discussions were continuing. Some facilities would be shared and the demarcation lines were being drawn up.

His view was that the staffs affected by the transfer of responsibilities should be subjected to the minimum of disruption and the two departments concerned subjected to the minimum of cost. This was a view endorsed by Mr Peter Baldwin, the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport.

Mr Rodgers can demonstrate many years of opposition to massive "conglomerate" Ministries and he quoted a number of speeches he made during the Heath/Wilson era in support of his view.

On the next steps in evolving the new Government transport policy Mr Rodgers said there were many discussions still to be held. He anticipated that there would be a White Paper in the spring of next year.

As to the precise share-out of responsibilities between his Ministry and the DoE, this would require Parliamentary time to consider a transfer of functions order.

"In Cabinet," said Mr Rodgers, "I shall press for a fair share of the nation's resources to be devoted to necessary transport expenditures, but the nation faces great financial stringency.

"It would be quite wrong for me to insist on more than my fair share in relation to other spending Departments."