HC Deb 13 October 1976 vol 917 cc411-2
7. Mr. Fairbairn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will pay an official visit to Kinross and West Perthshire.

The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Mr. Gregor MacKenzie)

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so.

Mr. Fairbairn

As the Secretary of State is responsible for transport in Scotland, although one might not believe it, may I ask whether he has considered the effect on the tourist industry, other industries and life in general in Perthshire of the proposed closure of Motorail in Perth by British Rail? If so, what steps is he taking to prevent it?

Mr. MacKenzie

This is a matter for the day-to-day management of British Rail. If the hon. and learned Gentleman wants helpful answers on matters of this kind, he ought to put down the Question which he wants answered.

Mr. Crawford

Is the Minister aware that I welcome the rather belated interest shown in this matter by the hon. and learned Member for Kinross and West Perthshire (Mr. Fairbairn)? Will he personally intervene with British Rail to ensure that this piece of economic lunacy is not perpetrated?

Mr. MacKenzie

I am sure that the Chairman of British Rail will have noted the comments made today.

Mr. Budgen

If the Secretary of State does visit Kinross and West Perthshire, will he do what all his fellow Ministers have so far failed to do and tell the people of Scotland exactly how many extra people will become unemployed as a consequence of the recent increase in interest rates?

Mr. MacKenzie

The last time I made a speech in Kinross and West Perthshire was during the General Election of 1959, and nobody paid very much attention to me then. Over the past couple of months, members of the Government have made 50 or 60 visits in Scotland and we have met representatives of many organisations to explain Government policies.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. May I draw to the attention of the House that it is now 3 o'clock and we have reached only Question No. 7. It would be a great help if hon. Members would try very hard to ask only one supplementary question when they are called and if answers could be correspondingly brief.