§ 9. Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what investment he is proposing for freight activity in Scotland between 1991 and 1994.
§ Mr. FreemanBritish Rail's planned investment in freight over the next three years includes a freight terminal in central Scotland and new services between Scotland and the continent through the channel tunnel.
§ Mr. ClarkeIs the Minister aware of the excellent record of the work force of the Coatbridge container base and Freightliner depot? Will he match their commitment by ensuring adequate investment so that they will have jobs in the future? When British Rail takes a decision about the Freightliner village which will arise from the channel tunnel, does he accept that it would be outrageous if it considered a location in Glasgow in view of the problems of the Kingston bridge? Given the infrastructure that already exists at Coatbridge and Gartcosh as well as Mossend and the huge job losses in Lanarkshire—many of which were due to the Secretary of State—can we return to the prosperity that we once had under a Labour Government and ensure that that development takes place in Lanarkshire?
§ Mr. FreemanI am glad that the hon. Gentleman supports the concept of a new freight terminal in central Scotland and I shall certainly draw his comments to the attention of ScotRail and the chairman of British Rail. It is true that any new freight terminal on which British Rail decides—it is currently considering three possible locations in central Scotland—will involve private-sector investment, which I hope will reach a significant level. It will also involve the creation of extra jobs and the haulage of freight on an intermodal basis, which means collecting freight by road and then shipping it by train for long distances. The routes will include the channel tunnel. I believe that that will bring more jobs and extra prosperity to central Scotland.