§ 23. Mr. Juddasked the Minister of Transport what requests he has received from British Railways for approval of capital expenditure on the introduction of new passenger rolling stock on the Waterloo to Portsmouth line and the planned redevelopment of the Portsmouth and Southsea Station site; and what replies he has sent.
§ Mr. MurrayApproval was given a year ago to the Railways Board's proposal to invest £21 million in 836 new coaches for the longer Southern Region routes including the Portsmouth line. New stock is already being brought into use on this line. The Board has not submitted to my right hon. Friend any proposals for the redevelopment of Portsmouth and Southsea station.
§ Mr. JuddIs my hon. Friend aware that, while regular users of the line are full of admiration for the way the staff try to cope with antiquated working conditions, they are tired of being seen as the poor relations of Sussex and Hampshire? Will he do everything possible to prevent delays in the planned modernisation?
§ Mr. MurrayI have no doubt that Southern Region will take note of what my hon. Friend has said.