§ 29. Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to announce the names of the members he has appointed to the Highland Transport Board; and if he will give an undertaking that he will approve no rail closures until the new Board have had an opportunity of giving him their advice.
§ Mr. StodartFollowing what has been said, my right hon. Friend hopes to announce the membership of the Board, and I think I can go further than my right hon. Friend and say, very soon.
Rail passenger closures are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport. He has agreed to consult my right hon. Friend, 273 the Secretary of State, on ail rail closures in Scotland and the Highland Transport Board will certainly be consulted as appropriate.
§ Mr. SteeleWhile I welcome the new Minister coming in to bat on this issue, this is still the responsibility of the right hon. Gentleman. Will the Under-Secretary say exactly when this Board will be appointed? It was announced in July and nothing has been done since. Would he answer the second part of my Question and say that, as his right hon. Friend has given an assurance that no railway line will be closed until adequate alternative transport is available, he will not approve any closure until he has had the advice of the new Highland Transport Board?
§ Mr. StodartWe are anxious—and this is the reason for the delay—to get the best possible membership of the Highland. Transport Board. I hope that the hon. Member will be pleased when it is announced, which, I repeat, will be very soon. Irepeat that the ultimate responsibility for closures rests with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, but that the Highland Transport Board will be consulted in all appropriate cases.