HC Deb 28 April 1965 vol 711 cc426-7
22. Mr. Ioan L. Evans

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take as a result of the inquiry held into the proposal to close the Birmingham to Redditch passenger line service; to what extent he took into account the fact that a new town is to be built in Redditch; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tom Fraser

I am considering the Report of the Transport Users Consultative Committee. I shall also be obtaining the view of the West Midland Regional Economic Planning Council and Board on the proposal's planning implications. I will take full account of the proposed future development of Redditch in reaching my decision.

Mr. Evans

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware of the grave concern in both Birmingham and Redditch about this proposed closure and will he suggest to the new Chairman of British Railways that in the terms of reference for considering railway closures due regard should be had to the industrial, economic and other implications involved as well as the financial implications?

Mr. Fraser

Rather than my getting in touch with the new Chairman of British Railways about the matter, I think that it would be better—and on reflection I think that my hon. Friend will agree with me—if I were fully to accept the responsibilities which lie upon me to take the decision at the end of the day. The Board should be free to make its proposal and I should be obliged, at the end of the day, to take responsibility for the decision arrived at. That I propose to do. In this case, as in other cases, I am most anxious to ensure that the social and economic aspects of the proposed closure should be fully taken into account. I am consulting the Regional Economic Planning Council and the Board and, as I have said, it seems to me important that I should take the right decision rather than a quick decision.

Mr. Dance

In view of the great anxiety in the minds of many of my constituents about this closure, when will the right hon. Gentleman be able to come to a decision? Will it be soon?

Mr. Fraser

I cannot say, but if the hon. Gentleman's constituents are so concerned about the closure—and I take it that he means that they are most concerned about the absence of railway services—I cannot understand why they voted for him at the last election.