Unemployment, Highlands

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 2:12 pm on 22 February 1995.

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Photo of Mr George Robertson Mr George Robertson Shadow Secretary of State 2:12, 22 February 1995

The House will notice how the new Minister dodges and weaves around a straight question which was also asked by his predecessor, the hon. Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart). The fact is that unemployment in the highlands will be affected dramatically if railway privatisation leads, as it will, to a reduction in services throughout that area.

A Minister of the Crown gave a categorical assurance in the Scottish Grand Committee that there would be formal consultation on the issue of the Motorail and sleeper services to the north of Scotland. The Minister must not pass the buck to another Minister or to his boss. He must answer the question: will there be formal consultation before the services are withdrawn—yes or no?