§ Viscount RIDLEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the interests of the national economy and in the light of their decision on the Channel Tunnel, they will now give serious consideration to postponing the rapid transport system proposed for Tyneside and now estimated to cost more than £100 million.
§ Baroness BIRKUnder the provisions of the Local Government Act 1974, the undertaking given in 1972 by the Secre-tary of State to the Passenger Transport Executive to grant-aid construction of the Tyneside rapid transit system will pass on 1st April to the Tyne and Wear Metropolitan County Council. Construction work began last year. The continuation of the project is primarily a matter between the county council and the Executive. The original decision was taken in the light of a full evaluation of alternative methods of meeting the trans-port needs of Tyneside.