§ 28. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the large capital expenditure involved, whether he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission that designs for new stations and other buildings required by them should be submitted to his Department before final approval.
§ 51. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Minister of Transport what capital expenditure he has authorised for the building of new railway stations; and whether he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission that plans for new stations should be submitted for his approval.
§ Mr. MarplesSince February, 1960, all proposals by the British Transport Commission for investment in projects costing more than £250,000 have been submitted to me for consideration. Since that date I have agreed to work proceeding on the reconstruction of six 1300 major railway stations, on four of which work was already well advanced. The total expenditure involved is about £5¼ million. The design of buildings is, of course, a matter for the Commission, but the cost of particular designs may well be a subject for discussion. I do not think a general direction is either necessary or appropriate.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-DavenportWill not my hon. Friend agree that the new railway station which has just been completed at Macclesfield is a public disgrace and that even the loyal railway staff are ashamed of it? Could he possibly assure the House that no station like this will be built in future?
§ Mr. MarplesI have not had the advantage of seeing the station, as my hon. Friend has, but I have no doubt that he is as usual very accurate in his information. I will pass his advice to the British Transport Commission, because they are responsible for the detailed design, and not me.