§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will set up a special inquiry involving the use of the Railway Inspectorate to examine the extent to which the backlog of track maintenance is affecting safety standards, and to review present safety requirements;
(2) what representations have been made to him in respect of rural rail services, the investment required to maintain them and the possible closures arising from a lack of public support; and what replies he has sent;
(3) what has been the total investment region by region in British Railways for each of the years from 1975 to the latest available date;
(4) what have been the employment levels and redundancies in British Railways for each of the years from 1970 to the latest available date;
(5) what proposals he has to implement the joint Government-British Railways report on electrification; and if he will make an early decision in order to ensure the maintenance of the skills and expertise which British Railways has built up.
§ Mr. FowlerI shall answer these questions shortly.