§ 11. Mr. SkinnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has had any recent discussions with representatives of local authorities and others regarding the midland line electrification.
§ Mr. FreemanYes. I attended a meeting of the Association of County Councils in Nottingham on 26 March, when the possible electrification of the midland main line was discussed.
§ Mr. SkinnerWhat is the Minister going to do about it? Now that he has met the local authorities will he put them in the lucky bag with the west coasst line and the Kent line? The Government are trying to kid local authorities into believing that they are getting something before the county elections, but when those elections are over the net result will be that the midland line electrification will fall. Is the Minister aware that the Government have spent too much time attacking the railway unions, which are fighting for the livelihoods and jobs of their members, when the Government should be concentrating on improving the rolling stock and electrification up and down Britain?
§ Mr. FreemanEvery day of the rail strike, which the hon. Gentleman supports, means £10 million less investment in British Rail.