asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the provision of new transport facilities between Cumbernauld New Town and Glasgow.

My Department is in touch both with the new town corporation and with British Railways on this subject. Meanwhile the frequency of the railway service has been increased for a trial period.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the construction of a line to link Airdrie with the Queen Street electric line, so that an electric train service could be brought into the new town of Cumbernauld, linking it up with Queen Street?

I understand that the Development Corporation has asked the Railways Board to examine this arrangement, and I hope that it will be successful.