HC Deb 26 May 1966 vol 729 cc691-3
1. Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will recommend to the Welsh Economic Council that the Clayton Survey on transport conditions in West Cardiganshire should be extended so as to cover the whole of the county.

The Minister of State, Welsh Office (Mr. George Thomas)

No, Sir; this would not be practicable within the limited time-scale of this survey.

Mr. Morgan

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that transport conditions in the eastern half of Cardiganshire are exactly as they are in the western half of Cardiganshire? There is every reason why this survey should be held for the whole county, even though that (night mean delaying it for a further short period?

Mr. Thomas

Yes. This is merely a pilot study of a typical area, which would be typical not only of the rest of Cardiganshire but of other rural areas.

2. Mr. Elystan Morgan

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the terms of reference given by the Welsh Economic Council to Professor Clayton's study group in their proposed survey of transport conditions in West Cardiganshire; and if he will give an assurance that particular attention will be given in this study to the question of rural omnibus services in the area concerned.

Mr. George Thomas

I am circulating the terms of reference in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The survey will give full attention to all means of transport in the area, including rural bus services.

Mr. Morgan

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he pay particular attention to the Jack Report of 1961, which found that between 15,000 and 20,000 people in mid-Cardiganshire were not served by any public services at all, and to the fact that this position has been greatly worsened by the closure of rural bus services in recent months?

Mr. Thomas

The whole point of the pilot survey is to enable us to use our resources in the best way to help the county. I am aware of the serious problem to which my hon. Friend has drawn attention.

Mr. Hooson

Is not the Minister of State aware that there have been several surveys of bus services, and allied transport problems in rural areas, in Wales amongst other places? Is it not time that the Government acted in this matter and provided a subsidy so that the people do really have a bus service?

Mr. Thomas

I am much obliged to the hon. and learned Gentleman. We are taking into account all the evidence and are determined to have as good as service as possible.

Following are the terms of reference:

  1. (1) to examine and assess the pattern of transport in the area west of a line drawn approximately from Aberystwyth to Carmarthen taking into account through flows of traffic;
  2. (2) to consider how, through the integration and rationalisation of services, the optimum allocation of resources to the provision of transport in the area might be attained;
  3. (3) to prepare an interim report by the end of July and a final report not later than the end of September.

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