§ 2.38 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question 523 which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are now able to say when the draft for a Light Railway Order for the central Wales line (Craven Arms to Llanelli) will be implemented; whether there are plans for other similar Orders; and whether they will make a Statement on the usefulness of such orders as the means to reduce the overall costs of railway services in areas of light traffic.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the Order was made on March 29, 1972, and the line is already operating as a light railway. It is for the Railways Board to decide whether to seek similar Orders where they consider this might offer practical or economic advantages, and my right honourable friend would judge such applications on their individual merits.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. May I ask what savings it is estimated this Order will effect upon that branch line?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I cannot give an absolutely exact answer to that question because I do not think that we have had long enough time to collect all the figures. By and large—and I am not going to be pinned down exactly by the noble Earl—there will be an estimated saving of about 10 per cent.
§ LORD CHAMPIONMy Lords, can the noble Lord tell us whether the Railways Board have made any other applications in relation to other areas?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I am not at this moment aware of any other applications that the Railways Board have made to make railways into light railways.