§ 33. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what part the South Wales ports are to play in the major redevelopment of British Railways.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe modernisation plans of the British Transport Com- 1898 mission are primarily concerned with British Railways and not with other parts of the Commission's undertakings. But the Commission believe that the plan will result in more speedy and reliable rail services which will benefit the docks and industry generally.
§ Mr. ThomasAs there is no reference at all to Welsh interests in the Report on the modernisation of the railways, will the Minister give us an assurance that the modernisation of our railway services from the Midlands to South Wales will not lag behind that in other parts of the country?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCertainly. The modernisation plan covers the whole of the railway system.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWill not the right hon. Gentleman remember, in connection with the railways, the roads and the Severn Bridge, that both he and his predecessor have made statements about the necessity for creating new communications between South Wales and the Midlands, bearing particularly in mind the plight of some South Wales ports, for which he is industrially responsible?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI am fully aware of the importance to the economic development and prosperity of South Wales of good communications, and I will certainly bear those factors in mind in connection with both road and rail.