First Great Western Franchise

I shall be as brief as I possibly can and confine my remarks to specific matters relating to the Tamar valley line in my constituency. The position regarding the Tamar valley line is that it is a community rail pilot. The Government approve of community rail and have expressed warm sentiments about the line on numerous occasions. They have done so to such an extent that when the question of the timetable arose, I wrote to the Minister, and I hope that he recollects writing back to me on 18 October 2005. The crucial issue regarding the Tamar valley line is that the eight trains a day that currently run should be retained. I have received communications from many in that area of my constituency, including the parish councils, and it is clear that the early morning service is vital in order to provide connections through Plymouth to the rest of the country. Its removal in the present timetable will cause hardship to literally dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of people. In the letter of 18 October, the Minister assured me—and through me, my constituents—that that service would be retained, that eight trains a day would be guaranteed and that the principle and policy of reflecting the Government's support of the community rail partnership and the community railway of the Tamar valley line would be honoured. I regret to say that the timetable now published demonstrates that that will not happen. I hope that he will do all in his power to ensure that his assurance, which I publicised to my constituents throughout my constituency, will indeed be honoured. Faith in this Government, reliance on their word and the solidity of their assurances to people in my constituency are at stake. The Minister will be fully aware that the connections that can be made using the first morning service mean that many people in remote and isolated parts of my constituency can go to work even as far afield as London. If the service is withdrawn, there are those who will be unable to work and forced to move. I hope that the Minister will pay earnest attention to my constituents' concerns about the Tamar valley line, and give me the assurances that I look for today.