§ 12. Mr. A. Royleasked the Minister of Transport what conclusions have been reached by British Railways about the future of the Richmond-Broad Street railway line; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe Board tells me that it has not yet reached any conclusions about the future of the passenger services on this line. If it wishes to propose a closure, I would expect it to give me the essential details so that I can decide quickly whether its proposal should be allowed to go through the normal statutory procedure or whether it is clearly unacceptable from the outset.
§ Mr. RoyleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the election campaign the Labour Party pledged itself immediately to remove uncertainty about this railway line? Will the Minister assure the House that if he receives from the Railways Board a proposal for closure, he will turn it down?
§ Mr. FraserI should have thought that there is no great uncertainty about this line, because there is as yet no proposal to withdraw the service. I cannot anticipate whether a proposal will be put before me or what decision I will take after I have received details of proposals from the Railways Board.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithWill the Minister use his influence with the Railways Board and also with London Transport to get the line of route of this railway incorporated in the London Transport underground map? Does he realise that this would substantially increase the number of passengers and also the revenue?
§ Mr. FraserThat may well be a good suggestion, but it is clearly one for the Railways Board and for London Transport and not one for me.
§ Mr. RoyleIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.