§ 2.5 p.m.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper, and in so doing I must declare an interest in that I am President of the Railway Development Association.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, in view of the British Rail proposals to concentrate long-distance services on New Street Station, Birmingham and to abandon certain routes in the area, what consideration is being given to the Railway Development Association's proposals entitled "Overground" for fast and modern rail commuter services in the West Midlands and in particular for a "Rapid Transit" system between Wolver Hampton and Shirley and between Oldbury and Solihull, both routes running via Snow Hill, Birmingham.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)My Lords, the proposals need to be worked out to much greater depth in terms of engineering feasibility, traffic potential and costs before they can be properly assessed.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer which is exactly the same as a Written Answer given yesterday to a Question put down by Mr. Faulds. Can one take it that the Ministry, in consultation with the Railways Board and other appropriate bodies, are prepared to carry out the further investigations required?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, I should hope that the noble Lord would not have expected our minds to change between yesterday and today. Therefore, the Answer is the same. In connection with these proposals, we feel that once the Association have managed to work out their proposals in greater depth, the best authorities to approach with them are the Birmingham Corporation and the other local planning authorities. If they, after a careful consideration, think they are something well worth while as a significant contribution towards improving transport in the area, the Minister will be prepared to give them further consideration.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for that further reply. May I ask him one further question? As the Ministry of Transport Memorandum of December 5 last, regarding Conurbation Transport Authorities, stressed the need for an agency to plan and put into effect an upgrading of suburban railway services, the provision of new rapid transit systems and interchanges, would the noble Lord approach his right honourable friend Mrs. Barbara Castle to see whether she would bear in mind this form of transport when she discusses this question of a C.T.A. for the area, as I understand she will be doing in Birmingham on January 19 and 20 next year?
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, I am sure the Minister will take that point into consideration. As yet the possibility of a C.T.A. for the West Midlands is some distance off.