HC Deb 10 August 1966 vol 733 cc1685-6
32. Mr. Mapp

asked the Minister of Transport under what circumstances she will authorise a local authority to subsidise a local railway line.

Mrs. Castle

I am prepared to consider any specific proposal from a particular local authority in the context of an overall transport plan.

Mr. Mapp

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. As her White Paper refers in paragraph 27 to local communities and as local communities may include one or more local authorities, what will she do, in the event of disagreement among the local authorities, to satisfy the local communities?

Mrs. Castle

I think that there are two stages. There is the immediate stage in which it would be perfectly open for a local authority to approach British Railways with a view to keeping open a particular local line. But my policy will be fully implemented when, under legislation next year, I can set up a more integrated transport authority.

Mr. Ridsdale

Does the right hon. Lady realise that many of us regard it as completely unrealistic to say that it is possible for local authorities to subsidise local railway lines, particularly in North-East Essex where the ratepayer is already horribly overburdened by the extravagance of the Labour Government?

Mrs. Castle

Some local authorities have shown an interest in doing this, and I do not see why I should interfere with local initiative in this respect.