§ 39. Mr. P. Browneasked the Minister of Transport what progress Her Majesty's Government have made in their consideration of the closing of uneconomic railway services; and what consideration is being given to the replacement of branch railway lines by alternative means of transport.
§ Mr. MarplesI have nothing to add at present to the Answer which I gave the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Boyden) on 15th March.
§ Mr. BrowneWill my right hon. Friend ensure that the special problems of the remoter districts are given due consideration? Will he consider instructing licensing authorities, where necessary, to be lenient when dealing with applications by small operators of passenger vehicles?
§ Mr. MarplesThis point is covered by the existing Statutes. The transport users' consultative committee takes account of alternative facilities when it considers proposals for closures.