§ 33. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that it is proposed to close the Motor Coach Station at King's Cross, London, on 30th September, 1963, that no alternative station is being provided, and that this will cause serious interference with the regular daily services by motor coach between London and East Anglia; and what steps he is taking to ensure that an alternative will be provided.
§ Mr. MarplesMy Department, the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner and the Metropolitan Police are co-operating to see whether arrangements can be made for operators to pick up and set down passengers in the streets in the vicinity of King's Cross when the present Motor Coach Station is closed. The provision of more elaborate facilities is a matter for the operators themselves in the first instance.
§ Mr. RentonIs my right hon. Friend aware that people using these services from East Anglia are people who mostly live a long way from a railway station and that if the services are not convenient or are discontinued more motor cars will come into the Metropolis? Will he use his powers or his persuasion to see that in future development plans proper motor coach terminals are provided?
§ Mr. MarplesI shall bear that in mind, because it is important, but at the moment the Traffic Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Police, has to determine authorised picking-up points and the solution might involve waiting restrictions on other 1309 vehicles. This is a complicated problem, but we will bear in mind what my right hon. and learned Friend has said.