§ 11. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the hardship caused to elderly and disabled travellers, she will refer to the Transport Users Consultative Committee for the London area the closing for the greater part of the day by the Southern Region of British Railways of one of the two entrances to Norbiton station.
§ Mrs. CastleNo, Sir. I have written to the right hon. Member.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWhile thanking the right hon. Lady for her courteous and singularly unhelpful letter, may I ask whether it does not come to the fact that she could refer the matter if she wished, and are not both the convenience and comfort of commuter travellers and the desirability, which she referred to earlier, of encouraging people to use the railways good reasons for her to take steps in her responsibility to secure the reconsideration of this foolish step by the Southern Region?
§ Mrs. CastleMy reply to the right hon. Gentleman was not only courteous but sensible. It is true that the Minister has power to take representations to the T.U.C.C. but it is very unusual for that power to be exercised. It is certainly open to the right hon. Gentleman to make representations to the T.U.C.C. on behalf of the users for whom he is speaking, and that is a much more appropriate way of doing it.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn view of the right hon. Lady's refusal to discharge her responsibility, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.