§ 10. Mr. Brewisasked the Minister of Transport if he will now rescind the consent given by his predecessor to the closure of the Stranraer-Dumfries railway; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SwinglerNo, Sir. And as the hon. Member will be aware from the statement my right hon. Friend made on 4th November, he has no power to do so.
§ Mr. BrewisIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his Answer will disappoint a great many people in Southern Scotland? Does he agree that if a line is closed—this line is not yet closed—it is in practice extremely difficult to reopen it? Will not the Government use their majority to take power to reconsider these decisions and, incidentally, to honour the official pledges given by both 1008 Labour candidates in Dumfries and in Galloway?
§ Mr. SwinglerThe consent in this case was given by the former Minister, of the hon. Gentleman's party. If the hon. Gentleman has concrete evidence that the alternative arrangements will not be satisfactory, we will certainly consider the matter. As my right hon. Friend the Minister said, he is prepared to vary the conditions attaching to the consent, although, as he said in his statement on 4th November, he has no power to revoke consents which have been given by his predecessor. If the hon. Gentleman will submit any evidence about the arrangements being made, my right hon. Friend will consider varying the conditions.
§ Mr. BrewisOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I will raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.