§ Sir J. Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement on the Report of the Committee on Transport Services in the Highlands and Islands.
§ Mr. NobleAfter consultation with the Ministers of Transport and Aviation about the Report on Transport Services in the Highlands and Islands I propose to appoint a Highland Transport Board in accordance with the recommendation made in the Report.
The functions of this Board will be to keep under review the needs of the Highlands for transport services whether by land, by sea, or by air, and, after consultation with the transport operators concerned, to advise on the most economic ways of meeting these needs adequately and efficiently. The Board's recommendations will be considered by the Secretary of State in consultation with any other Ministers concerned and once decisions have been reached on the recommendations the ways and means of giving effect to them will be discussed with the transport operators.