§ 65. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from the St. Helens County Borough Council about the inclusion or exclusion of the urban district of Prescot and the parishes of Whiston and Rain-hill from the Merseyside Passenger Transport Area; to what extent he has taken into account in his consideration of this matter the existing pattern of services provided by the St. Helens Transport Department; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Bob BrownWe have included these places in the Merseyside Passenger Transport Area because in our view the pattern of travel and development in the 3W area justified it and the local authorities for the areas have accepted the case for it. We have not, therefore, been able to accept the representations of St. Helens that these places should be excluded, but we are satisfied that the services provided by its Transport Department can be fully safeguarded.