§ 52. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to submit to the Transport Users Consultative Committees any proposals made by the London Transport Executive or other undertakings in which they have an interest for the cessation of omnibus services.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. The transport users consultative committees already have the power to consider the Commission's bus services.
§ Mr. DaviesIs it a fact that in the case of the closure of branch lines there is an understanding between the Commission and the Minister that reference is made to these Committees? Is there any reason why the same provision should not apply regarding the withdrawal of bus services?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have not looked at that. I think the difference is that a bus service is much more flexible and can be taken off or put back as required, whereas the closure of a branch line is a much more permanent undertaking.