§ Mr. HeddleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Staffordshire of 7 June, if' he will investigate the reasons why he has not yet received British Rail's submission for the electrification of the cross-city line from Lichfield to Redditch via Birmingham New Street; if he will publish in theOfficial Report copies of relevant correspondence between his Department and British Rail; and if he will now make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloThe position is described in my replies of 6 June to the hon. Member for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Snape) which included a summary of discussions between British Rail and the Department. Since these meetings, I understand that British Rail carried out further work on engineering and financial matters. I expect a formal submission shortly.