Confident: Byers

Stephen Byers has avoided a Commons showdown over the on-going "spingate" row.

The embattled transport secretary had been expected to face to answer more embarrassing questions in the Commons on Tuesday following the announcement that the transport department's head of news Ian Jones had been suspended.

But the show failed to meet its billing with MPs focusing on domestic problems instead.

Byers faced only mild questioning and a few barbed remarks on the row which has ripped apart his department's media centre.

Theresa May, the shadow transport secretary, attacked Byers over the costs run up by the strategic rail authority in setting up the "son of Railtrack".

She claimed the real investment in the railways was less than £20 billion and not the £65 billion as claimed by Byers.

Hinting at speculation of an Easter reshuffle, she said: "As it is the last transport questions before the Easter recess can I just say to the secretary of state goodbye."

"Whether it's the right honourable lady saying bye-bye to me or me saying bye-bye to her, only time will tell," replied the minister.

He accused May of concentrating on an issue that was only of interest to Westminster-watchers rather than those of interest ot the people of Britain.

"She may reflect the priorities of the Westminster village, but myself and the government will deliver on the priorities of the people in this country," he said.

Earlier in the debate Eric Pickles, the Conservative shadow transport minister had called on the government to do more to halt asylum seekers getting through the Channel Tunnel.

"It's time to stand up for Britain and not for a department spin doctor," he said.

"The right honourable gentleman rather lost the plot at the end there," replied the department's junior minister David Jamieson.

Conservative Gregory Barker wanted to know the real economic cost of putting Railtrack into administration. "There's one they prepared earlier," said transport minister John Spellar.

Peter Lilley came closest to resurrecting the spin row saying that the Railtrack administration had led to more train delays for his constituents.

"They want a rail service where trains arrive as quickly as his press officers depart," he said.

Labour firebrand Dennis Skinner hoped the real aim of the government was to re-nationalise the railways and if there were any other companies in a similar situation ministers should "snap them up".