§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings he has had with ScotRail management this year to discuss electrification of the railway lines between(a) Edinburgh and Glasgow via Polmont, (b) Edinburgh and Glasgow via Shotts and (c) Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. and learned Friend and I meet the chairman and other board members and senior management of British Rail and ScotRail from time to time. Contacts at official level also take place frequently. Discussions at such meetings cover a wide range of topics concerning rail services in Scotland, including electrification.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received in favour of72W electrifying the railway lines between (a) Edinburgh and Glasgow via Polmont, (b) Edinburgh and Glasgow via Shotts and (c) Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. and learned Friend has received representations in 1990 from a number of organisations and individuals, including Members of Parliament, supporting further electrification of the railway network in Scotland. Decisions whether to invest in electrification schemes are, however, for British Rail working within the guidelines set by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.