HC Deb 25 November 1970 vol 807 cc397-8
5. Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a departmental committee to inquire into the problems of public transport in rural and semi-rural areas.

89. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he now has to help the growing problem of rural public service facilities; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Michael Heseltine)

We have already set up two pilot studies to take a fresh look at rural transport. Through their findings we shall be able to advise on how these problems can best be tackled generally.

Mr. Clark

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his reply so far as it goes. However, is he not aware that there is a strong feeling that there should be an immediate and thorough inquiry into public transport, not only in the rural but in the intermediate areas and that there is some scepticism about whether the solutions for areas in Devon and West Suffolk will be applicable to the industrial Pennines, for instance, or the Welsh valleys?

Mr. Heseltine

I fully accept that. We have already announced that we are looking at the twilight areas as well.

Mr. Mulley

I welcome the Government's decision to have these further inquiries. Will the Under-Secretary undertake that this time, unlike what happened with the Report of the Jack Committee, which was set up by a previous Conservative Administration, the Government will act on the recommendations and not totally ignore them?

Mr. Heseltine

It must depend on what the recommendations and findings of any inquiry are. The right hon. Gentleman had ample opportunity to act on any decisions when he held responsibility.

Sir Clive Bossom

May I make a special plea for Herefordshire to be included in the pilot scheme, as it is one of the most rural counties in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Heseltine

I accept what my hon. Friend says about other counties. We had to decide where to start and we hope that the lessons we shall learn from Devon and West Suffolk will be of general application. However, I assure my hon. Friend that there will be no question of the rural problems which he and many other hon. Members have being ignored because we have not been able to look at the particular difficulties of his own home territory.