HC Deb 25 January 1961 vol 633 cc162-3
16. Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Transport what capital expenditure he has authorised for the building of new railway stations during the last five years.

Mr. Hay

Until February, 1960, individual projects of the British Transport Commission were not submitted to us for consideration. As my right hon. Friend said in answer to my hon. and gallant Friend, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Sir A. V. Harvey) on 21st December last, he had since February last agreed to major station works involving total expenditure of about £5¼m.

Sir W. Bromley-Davenport

Is it possible for my right hon. Friend to prevent the Transport Commission from building any more railway stations such as the one they have just completed at Macclesfield? Is he aware that this station is regarded as a public disgrace and a sheer waste of public money? Will he look into the matter?

Mr. Hay

There are likely to be quite a number of opinions about any railway station, and I hesitate to take part in a discussion of that kind. All I can tell my hon. and gallant Friend is that, as the House knows, my right hon. Friend now oversees all projects by the Commission costing more than £250,000, and this sort of matter could possibly be looked at in that context.