§ Mr. Howeasked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the progress of the comprehensive transport studies which are being undertaken in association with his Department by local authorities on Merseyside; whether it is his policy to favour the formation of an authority or undertaking with responsibility for the unified operation of road, rail and river public services on and between both sides of the Mersey; and whether he will treat proposals for the withdrawal of railway passenger services on Merseyside in the light of the value of these lines to a unified Merseyside transport authority in conditions of mounting future congestion.
§ Mr. SwinglerStudies on particular aspects of transport on Merseyside undertaken by the Steering Committee on Merseyside traffic and transport are near completion. Consultants have been appointed to design a comprehensive land use-transportation study.
If at any time local authorities and transport operators on Merseyside propose to us a reorganisation of their responsibilities we will give the proposal the closest consideration.
The Answer to the last part of the question is "Yes."