HC Deb 15 May 1963 vol 677 cc1313-4
8. Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Transport if he will, in anticipation of formal proposals for the implementation of the Beeching Report in regard to the closing of Rugeley Town station, Alrewas stations and Lichfield Trent Valley High Level station, strengthen the West Midlands Transport Users' Consultative Committee by adding to the membership persons with expert knowledge of overspill future plans and requirements both as regards passenger and freight traffic.

Mr. Marples

The duty of the transport users consultative committee is to report to me on any hardship which it considers would be caused by a proposed closure of a passenger service or station. Before reaching my decision I shall take into account any other relevant factors. If in a particular case overspill plans were a significant factor, I would consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. The consultative comittee has no power to consider proposals for freight service closures.

Mr. Snow

Since it appears fairly obvious that Dr. Beeching's secretariat has no knowledge of the Midlands overspill plan, which is a vast problem and is already in operation, would it not be profitable to see that the users' consultative committee at least is well informed before it makes its representations?

Mr. Marples

I assure the hon. Member that any overspill problem will be taken into account before a decision one way or the other is made.

Mrs. Castle

Can the Minister say why these consultative committees are not allowed to cover the freight aspects of the proposals? Is he not aware that I have sent him particulars of protests against the closure of the Mill Hill station in Blackburn, including protests by a local business man? How are the interests of business persons to be reflected in the consideration of these proposals?

Mr. Marples

I am bound by the Transport Act, 1962, which was passed by this House and which lays down those provisions. All I can say is that the railways have been in touch with local business people regarding the freight services.

Mr. Harold Davies

Is the Minister further aware that there are questions not only of overspill and freight, but those which concern areas with expanding coalfields and where new mines are being opened, as in the West Midlands and the North? Is he not aware that the problem of consultative committees and the question of freight is of paramount importance? Will he ensure that he is informed of any Coal Board developments in these areas before freight or passenger lines are closed?

Mr. Marples

It was about twelve months ago that I first said that the question of population overspill and of new industrial development would be taken into account. Government machinery was set up a considerable time ago so that these factors, as well as hardship to passengers and the provision of alternative services, would be considered.

Mr. Snow

In view of the nature of the Minister's reply, I give notice that I will try to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

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