§ 39. Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether comparability between road and other modes of transport will be among the terms of reference of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment and if he will make a statement on the importance of comparability.
§ Mr.William RodgersThe terms of reference of the committee remain as given in my answer to my hon. Friend on 7th June.—[Vol. 951, c.158.]
British Rail and the Department are together directly following up the question of comparability. I regard it as important, however, that proposals for new roads should take account of possible rail alternatives where these could be a cost-effective way of meeting needs, and although I have not asked the committee to do work on this at present I shall do so if this seems necessary.