§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of the recommendations of the Report on Travel, Population, Employment and Land-Use, covering the Forth Basin, he will consider approving the construction of a railway line between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Livingston New Town and Bathgate.
§ Mr. MarshI have been asked to reply.
There is already a railway line between Edinburgh and Glasgow, via Bathgate, which could serve Livingston New Town. At present this is used only for freight. Reintroduction of passenger services would be a matter for the British Railways Board in the first place, and would not be a matter for me except in so far as any substantial capital expenditure by the Board were needed, or the possibility of a grant under Section 39 of the Transport Act, 1968, were likely to arise.