§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What prospects they foresee for connecting the Belfast-Larne line to the railway network of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; whether EEC funds are likely to be forthcoming for this; and what degree of priority they give to this link in comparison with other major capital projects; and what plans they have for improving and extending the urban and suburban rail network serving Belfast, its airport and nearby communities in Antrim and Down, along lines already tested in Newcastle-on-Tyne, Manchester and Dublin; whether they have received proposals from Northern Ireland Railways; and, if so, when they expect to respond to them.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Lyell)The Government will soon receive proposals from consultants appointed to review transport policy as part of the preparation of a new draft plan for the Belfast Urban Area. If developments of the nature to which the noble Lord refers are recommended by the consultants, they will be considered for implementation against other public expenditure possibilities. It would be in accord with normal practice to submit such developments as claims on the European Regional Development Fund.