HC Deb 04 March 1985 vol 74 cc645-6
8. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Wales Tourist Board concerning the role of railway preservation both in job creation and the generation of economic activity; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Stradling Thomas

While I have not recently discussed this matter with the Wales Tourist Board, I am aware that the board has given considerable support to the great little trains of Wales, both by way of marketing services and by financial support to individual railway societies totalling some £500,000 over the years. I welcome the jobs and economic benefit which the railway societies can bring to Wales.

Mr. Adley

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply and acknowledge the excellent work that has been done. Does he accept that the transfer of some locomotives from the scrapyard at Barry to the Big Pit project at Blaenavon, which I think has the support of the hon. Member for Torfaen (Mr. Abse), would undoubtedly be welcome and would generate further economic activity in the Blaenavon area by enhancing a tourist project which could no nothing but good? Does he recognise that the problem is the purchase of the old locomotives for which, it seems, neither his Department nor the Wales Tourist Board has specific funds available? Will he bend his mind to this problem?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

I am more than sympathetic. I had the great privilege and pleasure of officially opening the Big Pit museum. I know that I can appeal to my hon. Friend when I say that if we are unable to find the funds, I am sure that he, with his expertise in the private sector, will bend his will and mind in an effort to help fully.

Mr. Geraint Howells

In view of the excellent work carried out by the Wales Tourist Board, will the Minister give an assurance that he will try to provide extra financial aid to the board during the next few years?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

There have been some advances in the promotion of Wales. I shall always be mindful and do everything that I can to try to find extra funds, if resources are available.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

In any such discussions with the Wales Tourist Board, will my hon. Friend consider further experiments with passenger services being introduced on freight lines, as British Rail is doing in a most interesting experiment on the Aberdare to Cardiff line? It introduced shopping services before Christmas and it has provided a similar service for each home international rugby match this year.

Mr. Stradling Thomas

I have no direct responsibility for British Rail operational matters in Wales, but I thoroughly approve of such flexibility in experimentation. We still have a long way to go. Some local authorities have put forward very interesting proposals along these lines.

Mr. Abse

Will the Minister be a little more forthcoming about the provision of Government funds for the purchase of the locomotives to which the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Adley) referred? Does he not know how important it is, in an area of such dereliction as the top part of my valley, Blaenavon, that everything possible should be done to stimulate the tourism which the Big Pit attracts? Would that not provide, for a very small sum, a considerable opportunity to assist in glamourising one of the most beautiful parts of the Eastern valley?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

As I said earlier, my sympathies lie entirely with the questioners. However, the question that I was asked by the hon. Gentleman was whether I would be more forthcoming. With respect to the House, Mr. Speaker, the answer is no, Sir.