HC Deb 24 February 1971 vol 812 cc548-9
8. Mr. McElhone

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state his present intentions with regard to a passenger transport authority in the Greater Glasgow area.

Mr. Younger

It remains my right hon. Friend's intention to discuss this issue with the local authorities concerned when he has completed his examination of all the factors involved.

Mr. McElhone

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that, if Glasgow's overspill programme and the special development area programme are to be successful, it is essential to improve the transport situation in the Greater Glasgow area?

Mr. Younger

I agree with the hon. Gentleman's general point, but he will appreciate that, following the publication of the Greater Glasgow Transportation Study, there was a need for some follow-up studies to be done. These are coming to hand now. In addition, this matter cannot but be bound up with the decisions announced recently in the White Paper on the Reform of Local Government.

Mr. Carmichael

The hon. Gentleman says that the Government had to ask for follow-up studies. Has he made any assessment of the Greater Glasgow Transportation Study in a more general form? Will he impress upon the Secretary of State for the Environment the importance to the Clyde Valley area of the "blue train" commuter service and the importance of Section 39 of the Transport Act being continued at least until there is a complete reorganisation of local government in Scotland and a passenger transport authority is set up?

Mr. Younger

I agree that the Greater Glasgow Transportation Study is a valuable and useful document. That is why the follow-up studies were necessary before reaching final conclusions. I agree about the importance of the "blue train" service.