Tony Francis introduces today's programme
Parliament is currently discussing the Serpell Report which has made suggestions regarding how British Rail can halt its financial losses. The most drastic idea to cut the rail network by 84% has already been ruled out but if services have to be cut how will this affect the Midlands?
In a film report Central Lobby travels by train on a line from Shrewsbury into Wales.
We see an establishing shot of Shrewsbury railway station and the platforms.
The train to Wales is a small diesel unit and we see aerials of it travelling through Shropshire and a pov from the cab.
The guard, Merion Roberts, is seen on board talking to a passenger. The guard is then interviewed and explains that the service uses request stops and he signals to the driver to stop at the required stations.
The driver is then interviewed in his cab about the route.
Tony Birdwood from a pressure group that supports the rural service is interviewed, as are a number of passengers.
Back in the studio Jon Lander interviews Philip Whitehead MP for Derby North (Labour) and Peter Fry MP for Wellingborough (Conservative) about the Serpell Report.
In a film item Jon Lander visits Oxford to report on Ruskin College. The college is popular with students from a left-wing or trade union background.
We see shots of Oxford University, an establishing shot of Ruskin College and Ruskin Hall at Heddington (used by first year students). We also see a lecture in progress at the college.
Interviews with: former students Jack Ashley MP for Stoke-on-Trent South (Labour); Dennis Skinner MP for Bolsover (Labour); and Eric Varley MP for Chesterfield (Labour); as well as interviews with current students Julie Weekes, Dave Matthews; student union president Jim Palmer; and principal John Hughes.
Jon Lander then rounds up the latest news from Westminster with a studio piece to camera.
The next item is a studio interview with Geoffrey Edge of West Midlands County Council. He is asked about a leaflet put out by the council urging people to write to their MPs complaining about an increase in bus fairs. Some critics have said that the leaflets are party political propaganda and should not be paid for out of the rates.
The final item is a studio interview with the actress Miriam Karlin who is asked about her political views. A clip of Karlin in the LWT sitcom 'The Rag Trade' is shown in which she played a trade unionist.
Graphics - Jim Chalmers
Film Editor - Ric O'Connor
Political Editor - Reg Harcourt
Executive Producer - Terry Johnston
Editor - Mike Warman
Director - Rob Harding
Production number 2440/83.