§ 9. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Mr. Cyril Bleasdale, of ScotRail, about the electrification of the Glasgow-Falkirk-Linlithgow-Edinburgh line and the southern routes involving Mid-Calder, Carstairs, Fauldhouse and Shotts.
§ The Minister for Public Transport (Mr. Michael Portillo)I discussed the various proposals for electrification of lines between Edinburgh and Glasgow with the director of ScotRail during my visit to those cities on 14 March.
§ Mr. DalyellAs I have an all-too-clear understanding of the finances involved and particularly of the difficulties of the Queen Street tunnel, may I ask whether there can at least be a preliminary discussion on the electrification of the Edinburgh-Glasgow line and the various merits of the routes when the Secretary of State meets the chairman of British Rail on 25 April? May we have that undertaking for Wednesday's meeting?
§ Mr. PortilloAs I said in my substantive reply, I discussed the matter on 14 March and I expect to discuss it again when I visit Scotland in May. The hon. Gentleman will know that the electrification of the line between Glasgow and Edinburgh via Carstairs is already approved and a £12.5 million project is under way. The hon. Gentleman will also know that there will be a new service with class 158 vehicles from Glasgow Queen Street via Falkirk and Linlithgow to Edinburgh. I believe that British Rail may be considering whether the remaining sections on the Shotts line should be electrified—whether that would present a case for investment. No doubt I shall discuss those matters in May.