§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the plan of the British Transport Commission for the modernisation and re-equipment of British Railways, in particular to the aim to exploit the great advantages of railways as bulk transporters of passengers and goods; and if he will consult the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation and the British Transport Commission with a view to utilising this plan for the more efficient and cheaper bulk transport of fish from the North of Scotland to the large consuming centres of south Britain.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe Answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." As regards the second part, one of the main objects of the modernisation plan is to speed up long-distance transits of all types of freight, including fish, and I am assured that the British Transport Commission will continue to seek any practicable improvement in the service for fish traffic from the North of Scotland.