§ 46. Mr. ATKEYasked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the petition presented to this honourable House, signed by the mayor and sheriff of Nottingham on behalf of the city, and by 18,000 users of the Midland Railway, praying for the re-opening of the closed exit opposite Trent Street, Nottingham; and whether he is able to announce any definite result arising from his promised help in the matter?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThis matter is still in hand. The Midland Railway Company have informed me that they would raise no objection to re-opening the exit if the Corporation desire this facility and will bear the cost, and they are, at my request, obtaining the views of the Corporation on this proposal.
§ Major-General SEELYIs it not an unreasonable thing to ask the Corporation of a town to pay for a facility which was granted by the railway company before the War, and which is part of the arrangement under which the railway companies 1939 serve the public, and will not the right hon. Gentleman consider taking the necessary action in this case?
§ Mr. BILLINGCould not the railway companies go to any town and threaten to close the station unless certain funds were forthcoming from the Corporation?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe railway company did not threaten to close this station. What they did was to adopt the principle in this case which has been adopted throughout the country of making it a closed station—it is very well known to hon. Members—but owing to representations made in this House and out of it, I undertook to look into the matter, and the suggestion was made to me by one of those who pressed it on me that the Corporation, or those interested, might be willing to contribute to the cost, and that suggestion was put before the railway company.
§ Sir J. REMNANTHas not the right hon. Gentleman power to make the railway company open this station if he is satisfied that it should be opened?
§ Sir E. GEDDESNo, I am advised not.