§ 56. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the number of representations she has received concerning the virtual severing of the direct rail link between Shrewsbury and London, whether she will hold joint consultations with the West Midlands Economic Planning Council and the Welsh Economic Planning Council to report on the implication of these cuts.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. John Morris)No, Sir. The statutory machinery of the Transport Users Consultative Committee is already available to consider representations of this nature, and they have power to make recommendations to my right hon. Friend if they see fit, through the Central Transport Consultative Committee.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the proposals for British Railways with regard to this part of the country involve the virtual cutting off of the whole of the West Midlands and mid-Wales? Has he no proposals on sociological grounds for altering the arrangements?
§ Mr. MorrisI am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member has referred, but I would also point out that the existing machinery for making representations on the quality of services has not been used.