HC Deb 18 May 1992 vol 208 cc10-1
10. Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding transport links between Great Britain and Ireland.

Mr. Norris

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not received any. The previous Secretary of State did, however, receive many.

Mr. Foulkes

What is the Government's response to the proposal now emanating from the European Commission that Dublin-Holyhead should be developed as the principal surface route between Great Britain and Ireland? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if that results in any downgrading of the Stranraer-Larne link, it will have serious political as well as transport implications?

Mr. Norris

The Government generally welcome the drawing up of outline plans as a framework for further discussion. British officials are playing a full part in the Commission's high-level working group, which was set up to consider priorities for the proposed development of a high-speed network. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the statement made last year by the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, for Scotland and for Transport, which confirmed that the Commission's proposals would have no downgrading effect on the Stranraer-Larne service.

Mr. John D. Taylor

As 95 per cent. of Ulster's commerce and 30 per cent. of the Republic of Ireland's commerce use Larne-Stranraer as the main route between the island of Ireland and Great Britain, surely the Minister will accept that there is much resentment throughout the west of Scotland and Northern Ireland at the fact that the Commission is recommending an investment of £500 million on road and rail transport systems to enhance the Holyhead-Dublin route and to take over from the Larne-Stranraer route? When do the Government intend to respond to the Commission's recommendation? Will the Minister agree to meet an all-party delegation of Members from the west of Scotland and Northern Ireland before the Government make a response?

Mr. Norris

As I said earlier, our officials are studying the Commission's draft proposals. As I also said, the effect of the proposals is not in any way to downgrade the viability of the Stranraer-Larne service. Indeed, the right hon. Gentleman is making the very point that Secretaries of State have stressed in the past, which is that the commercial viability of the route remains an attractive incentive to British Rail to continue to operate it. I shall draw to the attention of my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping the right hon. Gentleman's desire to bring a delegation to see him.