§ 31. Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what asistance or advice his Department is giving to Edinburgh Corporation about the traffic problems affecting the city.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonMy Department is giving all posible help to the working party which the Corporation has set up to advise on Edinburgh's future road network and ancillary matters. The Corporation also consults the Department about short-term traffic management measures.
§ Mr. Clark HutchisonDoes the Minister agree that the abolition of the suburban rail services has added to the trouble, and will he consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport with a view to altering the law, and taking powers to reintroduce those services?
§ Dr. MabonI agree that this is very relevant, although this Administration can hardly be held responsible for some of the plans of the past. The work now 1546 being done by the survey should demonstrate the extent to which the city depends on public transport. A wider survey may be undertaken later on, but that is very much a matter for consideration depending on the initial report.