§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he intends to visit the Birmingham works of MetroCammell before reaching a decision on 82W the Tyne and Wear Metro project, as suggested by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr;
(2) when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr sent to him on 1st November 1976 concerning the Tyne and Wear Metro project.
§ Mr. William RodgersI have no plans at present to visit Metro-Cammell. I answered my hon. Friend's letter on 24th November 1976.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil servants in his Department concerned with the decision on the Tyne and Wear Metro project have visited the works of MetroCammell, Birmingham, in the past three months.
§ Mr. William RodgersNone, but I am well aware of the importance attached by Metro-Cammell Ltd. to a decision to continue with the project.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Transport who will be responsible for making the final decision on the Tyne and Wear Metro project.
§ Mr. William RodgersIt is for Tyne and Wear County Council, as the passenger transport authority for the area, to decide after taking account of any Government decision on whether grant assistance to the project should be continued.