§ 2. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with rail communications in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Barry Jones)It is our desire that railway services in Wales should make the maximum contribution to the transport system that resources allow.
§ Mr. HowellsI am very grateful to the Minister for his reply, but will he give an assurance that he will do everything within his power to make sure that no further rail closures are carried out in Wales? Does he agree that if the line between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury and the Cambrian coast line were to be closed it would have disastrous effects on 899 the economy of rural Wales? Finally, will the Aberystwyth-Machynlleth line be repaired, and will the service be restored before Easter?
§ Mr. Barry JonesTaking the latter point first, the repairs to the Cambrian coast line are well in hand and the full service is expected to be restored soon. Damage to the line between Dovey Junction and Aberystwyth is substantial. Full repairs will take some time, but I am assured that British Rail is making the best progress that it can. On that piece of line it may take £250,000 and some months to make repairs in their entirety.
With regard to the first point, the answer is "Yes". The railway system is important to Wales. I am not aware of any proposals to close railway lines in Wales.
§ Sir Raymond GowerIf there are future proposals for the closure of railways in parts of the United Kingdom—as has been mooted—will the Welsh Office make the strongest representations, based on the fact that proportionately in the past the closures in Wales have been on a very large scale?
§ Mr. Barry JonesI recollect previous closures taking place under a Government of the political complexion of the hon. Gentleman. However, no passenger service could be withdrawn, nor could any station be closed, without the publication by the Railways Board of a formal proposal to that effect, an opportunity for objections to be made to the transport users' consultative committee, and a thorough examination of all aspects of the case by the Minister for Transport, including the observations and the keen eye of the Welsh Office.
§ 10. Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the future of the railway service in Wales.
§ Mr. Barry JonesMy right hon. and learned Friend has received a small number of representations from individuals and organisations about rumours of cuts in the rail network in Wales.
§ Mr. EdwardsI thank the hon. Gentleman for what he has already said, but does he agree that the railways in Wales remain a vital part of the infrastructure?
900 Will he confirm that it is the Government's policy to continue to support these vital links? Is it the Government's intention to provide a White Paper to set out their policy?
§ Mr. Barry JonesThe Government believe that the railways are vital in Wales. The Welsh Office takes the keenest interest in the functioning of the railways in Britain, and particularly in Wales. I am not aware of any proposals to close railway lines in Wales. I very much regret that anxieties are being aroused by extravagant statements not based on the facts.
§ Mr. D. E. ThomasI am glad that the Minister has committed the Government to supporting the railways in Wales, but I am not sure whether he included every mile that exists in Wales. Although there are no current proposals to reduce the network, there have been proposals to reduce both passenger services and freight facilities. Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that the Welsh Office resists proposals of that kind?
§ Mr. Barry JonesThe Welsh Office cares deeply about the railways in Wales. As I have already stated, I am not aware of any proposals to close railway lines in Wales. A statement will be made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment following consultations with those directly concerned with the transport industry.