§ 49. Mr. Francis Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Transport what research is being undertaken by her Department into the need to provide a comprehensive, fast and cheap railway system to meet the essential needs of passenger and freight 89W traffic in the future; and what consultation there is with other bodies, in particular in the United States of America and other countries where the destruction of railways has caused grave economic and social problems, or where railway systems have expanded.
§ Mrs. CastleMy Department is studying the long-term transport needs of this country, including the railway's place in the future framework and the Railways Board itself is conducting a major research programme at its modern centre at Derby. Meanwhile, I am very anxious not to repeat the experience of other countries which have abandoned their railways prematurely—that is one reason why I have set up my new Economic Unit to study closure proposals in the widest context.