HC Deb 25 May 1960 vol 624 cc436-7
21. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Minister of Transport why he has refused to meet a deputation from the Liverpool Corporation to discuss his refusal to make any contribution towards the cost of road works improvement to B.4319 between Bala and Frongoch and Capel Celyn and Arenig due to closure of the railway in connection with the construction of a water reservoir at Tryweryn; and, in view of the fact that the Liverpool Corporation have a case to put to him which cannot be adequately stated in a letter, if he will now agree to meet a small deputation from Liverpool local authority.

Mr. Marples

I am always willing to receive a deputation if I think it would help. In this case the facts were quite clear, and since I could find no grounds for contributing to the cost of these improvements I considered that no useful purpose would be served by a deputation.

If the Corporation has any fresh evidence which suggests that a deputation would be useful I am certainly willing to consider it.

Mrs. Braddock

Is not the Minister aware that when this matter was being considered by the Private Bill Committee in 1957, counsel for the Transport Commission said that this railway might have to be closed for economic reasons, and that there was no reason why the Liverpool Corporation should bear the whole cost. Does the Minister think that, without his having any consultation with or representation from the Liverpool Corporation, it should be left to find over £500,000 in order to do something that will be useful not only for the scheme and the residents but the whole community, in the form of a major road alteration and improvement?

Mr. Marples

It will be a major road alteration, but I am not sure whether it will be necessary in this part of the world. This situation has arisen because the Liverpool Corporation wanted to build a reservoir and promoted a Bill for that purpose, and I do not see any reason why taxpayers should have to pay the extra money for something which is ancillary to what the Corporation had in mind.

Mrs. Braddock

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest possible moment on the Adjournment.

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