§ 53. Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Minister of Transport what was the total amount paid in the last financial year by way of subsidy under the Transport Act, 1968 to support unremunerative railways in Wales.
§ Mr. PeytonThe total cost of grants paid under Section 39 of the Transport Act, 1968 in the calendar year 1969 for services operating wholly or partly in Wales was £4,324,000.
§ 54. Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Minister of Transport if he will give an undertaking that subsidies under the Transport Act 1968 will continue to be available for railway lines whose social significance is high.
§ Mr. PeytonSuch subsidies will continue to be available as and when this seems right. I shall consider each one on its merits and in the context of public expenditure policies.
§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that the level of grant provided last year for uneconomic but socially necessary railway lines in Wales will be continued.
§ Mr. PeytonNo.
§ Mr. Gwynoro Jonesasked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that the Government will continue to assist for an indefinite period the passenger service of the Central Wales line.
§ Mr. PeytonNo. All undertakings to pay grant for railway passenger services are subject to a statutory limit of three years.
205W
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Minister of Transport if he will continue to grant-aid the Wrexham-Liverpool railway line.
§ Mr. PeytonI assume the hon. Member is referring to the Wrexham-New Brighton rail service for which my predecessor undertook to pay grant until 31st December, 1970. I cannot come to any conclusion about the future of the service until I have considered the application for renewal of grant-aid which I am expecting from the Railways Board later this year.
§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Minister of Transport, if he will continue to grant-aid the Chester-Holyhead railway line.
§ Mr. PeytonMy predecessor's undertaking to pay grant for this service expires at the end of 1970. I cannot come to any decision about its future until I have considered the application for renewal of grant which I am expecting from the Railways Board later this year.