§ Mr. Andersonasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware that proposals by the London Midland Region of British Railways to divert Hereford-Newport main line trains to the Birmingham-Bristol route in 1970 will reduce the number of trains serving Abergavenny to one; and if he will give further consideration to the provision of grant aid in order to provide an adequate service between Hereford and Newport;
(2) if, because of the interdependence of the lines between Worcester-Hereford, Shrewsbury-Hereford and Hereford-Newport, he will now consider the lines as a whole for the purpose of grant-aid.
§ Mr. CarmichaelWe are already discussing with the Railways Board the revised pattern of service which will be required to meet the social and economic needs of the area from which the main line trains are to be diverted, and the effect of this on associated services.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is associated with these discussions. Before reaching a decision we will consult the Welsh Council and the appropriate Economic Planning Councils and Transport Users' Consultative Committees.