§ 20. Mr. Langasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has now considered the Northern Ireland economic council's statement of views on sea ferry services and, in particular, its comments on the A75; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. GoodhartYes. I share the council's views on the importance of external transport services. I have brought the conclusions and recommendations of the council's statement of views to the notice of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and the shipping companies. Improvements to the A75 route from Stranraer to Dumfries are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland but I understand that he takes full account of the use of this route by Northern Ireland traffic in considering the extent and pace of such improvements.