HC Deb 09 February 1987 vol 110 c18
12. Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends next to meet the chairman of British Rail to discuss rail operations in Wales.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)

My right hon. Friend met the chairman on 25 November arid has no further plans to do so at present.

Mr. Anderson

The Secretary of State will know from his personal experience of the reduction in services to west Wales, such as the ending of the sleeper service. Will he ensure that west Wales is not marginalised in the railway network and that, for example, the Swansea to Cardiff line is not downgraded by British Rail?

Mr. Roberts

These are operational matters for British Rail. British Rail is to make an announcement shortly about InterCity services. British Rail is to improve the Red Dragon executive service from Swansea from May. I understand that, in BR's opinion, there is no market for late evening services after 6.30 pm from Swansea.

Sir Raymond Gower

Would it not boost railway operations in Wales if the Margam pit were now to be built? Does my hon. Friend think that the intervention of the National Union of Mineworkers' president is rather regrettable, hasty and should have been assessed by the Welsh miners?

Mr. Roberts

All industrial developments in Wales will be helpful to British Rail because they will involve increased passenger traffic and freight. I should not like to comment on the attitude of the NUM, but I notice that there is a difference between what Mr. Scargill said and what was said by the local NUM leader in south Wales about that project.

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