§ 10. Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the impact on the tourist industry in the east midlands of the level of service on the midlands main line; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KeyEnglish tourist board research indicates that 8 per cent. of trips to the east midlands in 1991 were made by train. British Rail has already invested significant sums to upgrade the line.
§ Mr. BarnesIs there not a danger that the east midlands will become a backwater in terms of tourism, commercial provision and industrial activity unless it has an effective rail link in the midlands main line, for which electrification is required? If the line is to link with the heart of Europe through St. Pancras, electrification begins to be required. Could the Secretary of State for Transport be informed that it is no to privatisation and yes to electrification?
§ Mr. KeyAs far as I am concerned, it is yes to tourism in Derbyshire. I shall visit Derbyshire on Thursday to launch the Peak tourism partnership. I shall, of course, explain to the people of Derbyshire the benefits to tourism of privatisation and of electrification, which may or may not happen. Railtrack will be financed primarily through charges to the users, but, as it was originally a nationalised industry, it will have access to Government loans. Privatisation will therefore increase the range of public support mechanisms for infrastructure spending.
§ Mr. Matthew BanksDoes my hon. Friend agree that tourists who wish to visit the east midlands, and Derbyshire in particular, have benefited considerably in recent years by continued and sustained investment in the rail infrastructure on that line? Does he agree that the journey time for tourists to reach the east midlands is now 30 to 45 mintues quicker than it was five or six years ago?
§ Mr. KeyOf course, my hon. Friend is right. I travel on that line. I know that it is an excellent line. I wish that some of the other lines in Britain were as good.