asked the Minister of Transport how many main line stations have car-parking facilities provided by the Railways Board; and how many new car parks of this type have been provided in the past five years.

The Railways Board tells us that 784 of the main line stations have car parks provided by British Railways; 27,075 parking spaces are available at these. Thirty-two of these parks, providing 1,428 parking spaces, were established within the five years up to April, 1964. During the same period existing car parks at about 130 stations, including main line stations, were enlarged, providing accommodation for some 4,800 cars.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this considerable improvement which he records seems to have missed out both the West Riding of Yorkshire and the London stations serving it? Will he point out to the Railways Board that nothing would do more to bring back traffic to the railways than adequate parking facilities at main line stations?

As I am sure my hon. Friend appreciates, this is a management matter for the Railways Board. But I have no doubt that it will pay attention to what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to the British Railways Board to provide adequate car parking facilities next to all major railway stations.

No, Sir. It is for the Board to decide, as a matter of management, where car parks might be provided and whether provision would be justified. I have no reason to doubt that the Board is giving due attention to this matter.

Will my right hon. Friend himself impress upon the Board the tremendous importance of this provision, if he does not think it right to give a general direction?

I know that the Board is aware of the problem. In certain places in the last five years it has provided an extra 56 parks, dealing with several thousand motor cars. Where this is possible the Board will do it. But I believe that it is a matter for each local authority to try to decide the extent and distribution of car parks in its area. It is better to deal with an area as a whole and to co-ordinate it with the Railways Board.