HC Deb 06 June 1962 vol 661 cc464-6
37. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that when a railway branch line is closed some alternative means of public transport is provided to meet the needs of those affected.

Mr. Hay

Under the procedure proposed in the Trans-port Bill no railway passenger closure can be effected without the consent of my right hon. Friend. He will have powers to attach conditions to that consent, or to give directions to the Railways Board. These powers can be used to ensure the provision and continuance of alternative bus services in cases where this is justified by the hardship Which would be caused to rail passengers by the closure.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that at present the difficulty is that after branch lines are closed the bus services which take their place are discontinued after a short trial period? Is he giving the House an assurance that the Minister is taking powers, which he proposes to operate, to see that those bus services are continued indefinitely?

Mr. Hay

Yes, the Bill contains provisions whereby my right hon. Friend can take that action, but I should point out that in a number of cases—one in Wales is under review at the moment— the alternative bus service which has been provided when the rail services have been withdrawn has been so underused that it has become uneconomic and it is unnecessary to provide it.

Mr. P. Browne

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a social side to this problem? Can we be quite certain that, in order to avoid further depopulation of the countryside and hardship, these bus services when provided will be kept going?

Mr. Hay

I cannot add to the Answer I have already given on the matter. I think that my hon. Friend rather oversimplifies the matter. The fact is that the countryside is adequately provided with transport. What is declining is the degree of use of public transport of ail kinds, rail and bus.

Mr. Marsh

The Parliamentary Secretary is saying that the Minister has powers to do this, but it is obvious that he is not using those powers. Has not the Minister an obligation to ensure that transport facilities in 1962 are certainly not less than they were in earlier years?

Mr. Hay

No, Sir. That is a quite unjustifiable conclusion to draw.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Has my right hon. Friend received any representations from his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on this subject, so that changes in rural transport facilities shall not be incompatible with alterations proposed in the National Health Service, particularly the hospital facilities?

Mr. Hay

Not to my knowledge, but perhaps my hon. Friend will put a question about that on the Order Paper.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the unsatisfactory and confusing nature of the hon. Gentleman's replies, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter again.