Ayr-Mauchline Line

HC Deb 11 November 1964 vol 701 cc1010-1

26. Mr. Monro

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a direction to the Railways Board to discontinue work on reopening the Ayr-Mauchline line.

Mr. Tom Fraser

No, Sir.

Mr. Monro

Is the Minister aware that this line need be reopened to passenger traffic only if the Dumfries-Stranraer line is closed? Is he satisfied that this solution is in the best interests of the people of Dumfries and Galloway?

Mr. Fraser

I have made clear that I cannot rescind the decision of my predecessor, which was taken some time ago. The Railways Board is now reopening the line between Ayr and Mauchline. It is rather interesting that I should now be asked to stop the Railways Board providing a new railway.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Could the Minister give the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) a large-scale map of south-west Scotland showing that the Mauchline-Ayr railway is in South Ayrshire, and could he tell us how many officials in his Department are now employed in dealing with complaints about the muddles of his predecessor?