§ 16. Mr. Daggarasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a large number of men resident in the area between Brynmawr and Crumlin, Monmouthshire, are obliged to travel a distance of 15 to 20 miles by omnibus, the cost of which absorbs almost a fourth of each man's wages; and whether he will take steps to re-open the loop-line at Llanhilleth which will reduce the time required to reach the place of employment, place the men nearer the factory, effect a reduction in the supply of petrol and afford a much more economical, comfortable, convenient and expeditious means of transport?
§ Sir J. ReithThe line to which my hon. Friend refers is equipped only for minerals and has never been used for passenger traffic. Much labour and material would be required to equip it for passenger use. Inquiries made show that the present cost of travel is not so high as suggested, and that there would be no appreciable saving in cost or time if the loop-line were available.
§ Mr. DaggarDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that in utilising the existing bus services men have to walk two miles in order to reach their places of employment, and that the reopening of the loop-line would avoid that delay?
§ Sir J. ReithIt is not a case of reopening the loop-line. In fact, that line has not hitherto been used for passenger traffic. The Regional Transport Commissioner is in touch with local representatives of the Ministry of Labour on the question of the bus services in the district mentioned.
§ Mr. DaggarDoes that answer imply that an attempt will be made to reduce the charges now made for travelling facilities?
Miss RathboneDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it preferable that questions giving exact geographical details of this sort in regard to the access to factories should be dealt with in private rather than in public?
§ Sir J. ReithI have a detailed map and I will be glad to discuss with the hon. Member alternative methods of solving the problem if he will come and see me afterwards.