§ 17. Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will request the Welsh Economic Council to make a survey of areas in Cardiganshire which are not at present served by any public transport services and of the economic effects to those areas of the absence of such services.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe Welsh Council has, with my full agreement and support, already commissioned a major research project on passenger transport needs throughout Wales. Work started in June.
§ Mr. MorganWill the Secretary of State acknowledge that there is a special problem in places such as Cardiganshire where over half the population live in areas where there is virtually no public transport service at all and that this has the effect of bringing about a complete disintegration in the life of the outlying communities? Is he prepared, therefore, to set up a pilot survey in an area with problems as acute as Cardiganshire?
§ Mr. ThomasI accept that Cardiganshire has special problems, but special problems in Wales are not confined to Cardiganshire. This special study which has been set up will involve a wide-ranging look at the whole pattern of communications in Wales, including Cardiganshire, and I hope that it will help to establish criteria on which future discussions can be based.