HC Deb 13 July 1981 vol 8 cc796-7
23. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the recent visit to Woodhams, Barry, of representatives of the National Railway Museum, the Association of Railway Preservation Societies, and the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington.

Mr. Channon

I understand that a survey of the remaining locomotives at Barry yard was started on 29 June and that further examination will be necessary before it is completed. I am very glad that my hon. Friend was able to make this visit.

Mr. Adley

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. As it has emerged from that visit and from earlier ones that the Manpower Services Commission is willing to make available assistance through the youth opportunities programme and the community enterprise programme for railway preservation purposes, will my right hon. Friend take an early opportunity to talk to his colleagues in the Department of Employment so that we can try to create a model plan for railway preservation purposes generally which can both help resolve the youth unemployment problem and assist the national heritage?

Mr. Channon

That is an extremely interesting and constructive idea, and I shall discuss it with my right hon. Friend.