HC Deb 03 February 1960 vol 616 cc990-1
23. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to consult with the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Defence as to the economic and strategic importance of railway lines being considered with a view to their closure, and to obtain from them estimates of the economic value of such lines to their respective Departments.

Mr. Marples

No, Sir. Proposals to close lines are widely publicised and the Consultative Committee procedure permits full account to be taken of the value of a line to trade and industry. Any potential defence interest in a particular railway line affected is, of course, taken into account by the Government Departments concerned.

Mr. Boyden

Where a railway is being closed, would not it be convenient to consider the significance of the Board of Trade trying at a later date to come to the help of a particular area, and trying to improve the economic amenities, when the Commission, having closed the railway, has done exactly the opposite to what the Board of Trade would be trying to do? May I give as an example the possibility of this happening to the Barnard Castle—Penrith line?

Mr. Marples

If the hon. Gentleman will write to me, I will look into the matter to which he referred in the first part of his supplementary question. Industrial and commercial undertakings and units of the Service Departments may make representations to the B.T.C. or the appropriate Transport Users' Consultative Committee.

Mr. Boyden

May I ask whether the B.T.C. communicates with the Ministry of Defence when the closure of a line is being considered?

Mr. Marples

All the Ministries are informed and can raise objections if they so wish.