Transport chiefs want Scottish high-speed link
Regional transport body SEStran said there was a strong case for extending the multi-billion-pound line north of the Border.
In a letter to the minister, SEStran chairman Russell Imrie said: "The case for the London to Birmingham line is very strong in terms of the added capacity it creates, but it is, nevertheless, the case that the business case only becomes impressively strong when the network extends further north to include Scotland.
"I would, therefore, argue that your arguments to get the Bill through the House will be much enhanced if you make a stronger commitment to create a national network that extends into Scotland."