§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will have discussions with British Rail regarding the effect of proposed timetable changes on the economy of Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsI will raise this when I meet the chairman of British Rail.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what steps he intends to take to identify(a) the specific communities affected and (b) the environmental, social and economic impact on those communities of implementation of the proposed reduction in rail services in South Glamorgan and Mid Glamorgan;
(2) what assessment he has made of the extent of the impact of fares increases proposed by British Rail for South Wales on the economy of Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan;
(3) what assessment he has made of (a) the environmental impact, (b) the impact on road congestion and (c) the impact on the economy of Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan of the service reductions proposed by British Rail to take effect in October.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsLevels of service and fares are operational matters for the commercial judgment of British Rail. However, I am aware that the local authorities in South Wales view with concern the changes which I understand British Rail propose to introduce in October. The Department is discussing these matters with the authorities concerned.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make it his policy to provide or secure additional Government funds for the rail transport network in south-east Wales to assist the development of an infrastructure which favours the region's economy, environment and social structure.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe funding of British Rail is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. However the Welsh Office has assisted South and Mid Glamorgan councils to develop the rail infrastructure by means of additional credit approvals for projects deemed to be of regional or national importance.