WESTM NSTER HAUL
Page 7
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WELL, they've got over their first hurdle. The Government's transport team and their Labour opponent have been blooded at Question Time.
And they did pretty well, too. Of course both Norman Fowler, thE Minister, and Albert Booth, his oppositE number, are used to speaking from thE Front Bench during questions, but thif time things were different.
Mr Fowler, who has been immersed ir transport since 1976, could now call or the accumulated wisdom of the Civi Servants in his Department, instead 01 having to rely on his own knowledge oi help from party experts or guidance frorr outsiders with axes to grind. The result was discernible — he did noi throw his weight about, but there wa: that extra ring of confidence in his voice Things were more difficult for IVL Booth, who was welcomed by the Min ister to "his important new post". HI sang pretty small; he was not jumping t( his feet every minute to harass th, enemy.
All perfectly understandable. M Booth's ministerial duties were concen trated on employment, and with tha topic occupying his attention he coul( have had no time to look at the fine points of lorries, buses and trains. As for the third member of the hier archy, Kenneth Clarke, the Parliamen tary Secretary, he too must have beei satisfied with his performance. Like hi predecessor, John Horam (who chippe in during the discussions) he dealt main'. with comparatively less contentious sub jects, such as road timetables and drivin; tests, though he was lumbered witl tachographs. His rating as a newcomer t, transport: promising.
Incidentally, have you noticed th subtle changes in title, now that th transport boss is not in the Cabinet William Rodgers was Secretary of Stat for Transport; Mr Fowler is Minister ft Transport; their lieutenants were, an are, respectively, Under Secretary c State and Parliamentary Secretary.
But though the titles have changed, th approach to the task seems very simile — like Messrs Rodgers and Horam, th new transport men seem to believe the the soft answer, if it can be used, turnet away wrath.
Harder times certainly lie ahead, how ever. The Tory Government has sever; plans which Labour vehemently opposi and Mr Fowler will have to show that h can be a toughie.