§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he intends that cost-benefit analysis should be used in considering any proposals from ScotRail to electrify the Edinburgh-Glasgow, via Falkirk, and the Edinburgh-Dunblane-Glasgow railway lines; and if he will make a statement.
(2) what assurances have been given that the social benefits of electrification will be taken into account in considering proposals to electrify the Edinburgh-Glasgow, via Falkirk, and Edinburgh-Dunblane-Glasgow railway lines;
(3) what criteria will be used to assess any proposals to electrify the railway line between Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
§ Mr. FreemanMy right hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Parkinson), the then Secretary of State, set out the criteria for rail investment in his letter of 19 December 1989 to the then chairman of the British Railways Board, which set the board's objectives for the period 1990–91 to 1992–93. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.