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WESTMINSTER HAUL

14th April 1978, Page 7
14th April 1978
Page 7
Page 7, 14th April 1978 — WESTMINSTER HAUL
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

JUST A passing thought .... would Woman's Hour have been so sorely missed if transport questions had been answered on that firstever live Parliamentary broadcast instead of Welsh topics? . Certainly transport comes closer to the everyday lives of ordinary radio listeners than the use of the Welsh language or tourism in the Principality — especially when items like rail fares are on the agenda, and emotive words like "juggernauts" are bandied about. And certainly the proceedings which did take place two days after that introductory broadcast were somewhat more dignified — far less of the "rhubarb, rhubarb" and catcalls which caused so much public castigation on the Monday.

But then both William Rodgers and his second in command, John Horam, seem able to make the most controversial of statements without arousing the wrath of either the Tories or the Socialists' left wing.

Mr Rodgers has the endearing characteristic of being able to admit that he is fallible, a recognition of human weakness that most Ministers find it impossible to entertain.

For instance, he confessed that he was not a r that the Dock Work Re ulation Act • was within his ministerial responsibilities, and when questioned about that jaunt of BRS husbands and wives to Las Palmas, he got out of what could have been a sticky situation by promising that he would certainly question the chairman of the National Freight Corporation — because he did not know the answer.

Nor does the Minister take advantage of the ignorance of his adversaries; when a Tory went astray about tachographs Mr Rodgers came out with nothing more than the gentle rebuke: "The Hon Gentleman is confusing two aspects of Community policy."

Even that favourite Aunt Sally, the Vehicle Licensing Centre in Swansea, failed to produce uproar, thanks to a skilled performance from Mr Horam, aided and abetted by a Welshman who had not taken part in Monday's proceedings, Donald Anderson, who represents one half of Swansea.

Perhaps the best commentary on how things went was that Tory transport leader I • ii. I" • vene on only three occasions — to champion London commuters, to ask for more traffic wardens in the capital and to warn against further ports nationalisation.

Mark you, both Transport Ministers have one disadvantage when compared with their Welsh Office colleagues. Though they represent north-east constituencies, they speak in impeccably accentless English, whereas Messrs Morris, Jones (Barry) and Jones (Alec) have pleasing Welsh lilts.


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