§ Q7. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister whether the public speech made by the Secretary of State 626 for Scotland on Saturday, 15th February, in Glasgow, about railway closures in Scotland, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Q12. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Prime Minister whether the public speech by the Secretary of State for Scotland at Glasgow on Saturday, 15th February, regarding Scottish rail closures, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Q13. Mr. Willisasked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Secretary of State for Scotland concerning rail closures, delivered to the women's conference of the Western Divisional Council of the Scottish Unionist Association on Saturday, 15th February, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Q14. Mr. Millanasked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Secretary of State for Scotland on rail closures in Glasgow on Saturday, 15th February, 1964, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.
The Prime. MinisterMy right hon. Friend's speech did not contain any new statement of policy. He described some of the possible implications of the Government's policy on the closure of railways.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in that speech the Secretary of State said that despite what Dr. Beeching had said, some lines that were scheduled for closure would remain open for several years and some for one, two or three years? Does he recollect that he himself, in this House on 6th February, denied at least twice in answer to questions that that impression that was gained by the members of the Scottish Council when they saw him privately was incorrect? May we please have the truth on this matter and can the Government say whether they accept Beeching and whether the Minister of Transport agrees with the speech made by the Secretary of State for Scotland?
§ The Prime MinisterDr. Beeching made proposals that certain railways might be closed. The responsibility for the decision lies with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. Time and again, ho and the Secretary of State 627 have said that each case will be considered on its merits.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the Prime Minister aware that we have now had at least four different Ministerial statements about the Government's intentions regarding rail closures and that two of those different statements have come from the Prime Minister himself? Will he, therefore, clear up the confusion that exists by assuring the House that it is the Government's intention that a number of Scottish railway lines scheduled for closure shall not be closed, as the Secretary of State said? Will he also give a commitment that these concessions made to Scotland, if they are real, will be extended to other parts of the United Kingdom?
§ The Prime MinisterThe confusion lies in hon. Members' minds. I have said time and again, and I repeat, that every case will be considered on its merits and decisions will be announced as soon as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has made up his mind.
§ Mr. WillisDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that an announcement such as was made by the Secretary of State for Scotland makes nonsense of the proposals of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee? Would he not serve Scotland better if, knowing that some of the lines are not to be closed, he were to stop the closure notices and save people's time, energy and tempers?
§ The Prime MinisterCertain procedures have to be gone through. One is the Transport Users'—[Laughter.]—the hon. Member for Southwark (Mr. Gunter) laughs; I cannot understand why. Does he not want the hardship of users to be considered? It has to be considered, as have all the economic implications. Therefore the Minister of Transport, having considered all these matters, will then make his announcement.
§ Mr. MillanIs the Prime Minister aware that, despite what he has said, there is considerable confusion in Scotland about the Government's policy? May we take it that despite what the Prime Minister said on 6th February, following the speech of the Secretary of State for Scotland in Glasgow and following the Prime Minister's announce- 628 ment this afternoon, important railway lines in Scotland like those north and west of Inverness will not be closed for up to three years? Is that now Government policy? Can we have a straight "Yes" or "No" to that question?
§ The Prime MinisterNo one has ever said that that was Government policy. What we have said is that every case will be considered on its merits. [Interruption.] If the hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Willis) does not want to listen, I need not answer, but I was doing him the courtesy of answering. If the economic conditions are such that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport wants longer to decide and he feels that a gap is necessary, he will say so.
§ Sir John MacLeodWill my right hon. Friend make sure that after the hearings in Inverness on 9th and 10th March, a decision will be come to as quickly as possible, because the uncertainty in the area is causing a great deal of concern?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, as soon as the Minister has the facts and has studied them. We want to get the answer right, but certainly as soon as possible.