§ Q4. Mr Brewisasked the Prime Minister what communication he has had from the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland regarding the effect of the proposed closing of the railways linking Belfast and London and Belfast and Glasgow via Stranraer on employment and industry in Northern Ireland.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Northern Ireland Minister of Home Affairs has discussed the question of communications between Northern Ireland and Great Britain with my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Minister of Transport.
§ Mr. BrewisIs my right hon. Friend aware that about 3 million members of the Armed Forces used these lines during the war years and that about 20 per cent. of Ulster's tourist traffic uses the crossing? Would it not be folly on defence, tourist and social grounds to accept Dr. Beeching's proposals?
§ The Prime MinisterAs my hon. Friend knows, on this as on all the other points there is the whole procedure of examination and eventual responsibility for the Minister concerned.
§ Mr. W. HamiltonDoes the Prime Minister recognise the conflict between what the Chancellor proposed yesterday for the Scottish economy and what Dr. Beeching has proposed for the railways?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir; they are very much in harmony.