§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport (1) what stage the survey of transport problems in the Greater Manchester area has reached; what are the names of those conducting the survey, and the names and qualifications of the steering committee; what action has been taken to date; what area is to be covered; whom it is intended to consult; what organisations will be asked to give evidence and make proposals; whether Trafford Park is to be included in the survey; what industrial representatives will be consulted and asked to make proposals; and on what date it is expected that the result of the survey will be published;
(2) if he approved the appointment of the Greater Manchester Survey Central Panel in connection with the transport survey; what are its terms of reference; and what plans it has for inviting a British firm of consultants to carry out its work.
§ Mr. MarplesThe major local authorities in the South-East Lancashire, North-East Cheshire and North-West Derbyshire conurbation, the transport operators chiefly concerned, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government and I have agreed that a comprehensive transport survey of the conurbation should be undertaken. A Steering Committee representing all these212W interests has been set up to exercise overall control of the work. They will be helped by an expert Technical Committee which will work very closely with the consultants who will carry out the survey. The Steering Committee is now considering the appointment of consultants.
The precise area to be covered by the survey has not yet been settled but it will cover the continuously built-up area of the conurbation and will in addition take account of traffic flows into and out of the conurbation. Trafford Park will therefore be included.
The survey will be directed to establishing facts about the present availability and use of transport and its relationship to land uses and other factors; to forecasting future demands for transport and to providing guidance on the planning of comprehensive transport facilities. The collection of data will involve approaches to industrial and other organisations.
I cannot yet say when the survey will be completed.
§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport if he will propose the appointment of a Greater Manchester Transport Steering Committee, to be composed of the chairmen and managers of the transport departments of the local authorities within the area where the survey is to be conducted, and direct it to introduce proposals for a co-ordinated and unified publicly-owned transport authority within the Greater Manchester area.
§ Mr. MarplesNo. I do not believe that any study of possible changes in the organisation and ownership of public transport could usefully be undertaken until we have the information which the comprehensive transport survey will provide.