Transport team re-shaped
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Department of Transport politics appear to have moved to the right with the appointment of three new ministers in John Major's cabinet reshuffle. Brian Mawhinney (right) replaces John MacGregor as Transport Secretary while John Watts and Viscount Goschen join Stephen Norris—the only minister to survive from the previous team. The new Transport Secretary has a heavy workload—first he must solve the rail strike. He will then attempt to toll UK motorways, abolish the London lorry ban permit scheme and sell British Rail's freight businesses. And in Brussels the new European Union presidency wants panEuropean tolls and harmonisation of training for dangerous goods drivers. Mawhinney, who has spent the past two years pushing through the Government's unpopular NHS reforms as Health Minister, is on the centre-right of the Tory Party as well as being one of the Government's strongest players.
History suggests he will consult widely, but having made up his mind will not be budged. John Watts, an accountant, and until now chairman of the powerful Treasury Select Committee, is expected to take part in producing 20% efficiency gains at the DOT within the next Iwo years. As MP for Slough, Watts is also well versed in road widening scheme arguments. But the exact workload allocation between Watts, the 29-year-old Viscount Goschen and Norris is due to be decided later this week.