§ 3. Mr. Loughlinasked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to the Railways Board that they should not keep open stations other than for economic and social reasons.
§ Mr. LoughlinBut is the hon. Gentleman aware that, while my constituency is being denuded of railway stations to the disadvantage of villages in my area, the railway station at Badminton is being retained solely for the privileges of the noble Duke of Beaufort? Is it not about time that we got rid of this feudal approach? If villages in my area and the areas of other hon. Members are to be without railway stations, is it not equitable that the noble Lord and others taking part in the junketings at Badminton Horse Show should be equally penalised?
§ Mr. GalbraithThe hon. Gentleman may not realise that the decision as to which railway stations to propose for closure is a matter for the management of the railways, not for my right hon. Friend. He may not know, also, that that railway station, until the Transport Act, 1962, had to be kept open under a contractual relationship.
§ Mr. SpeakerSir Ronald Russell, Question No. 4.
§ Mr. LoughlinBut is that true? Was not a petition—
§ Mr. SpeakerThere is some mistake. I called the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Sir R. Russell) to ask Question No. 4.