§ 44. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Minister of Transport how many railway closures involving a length of line 40 miles and over in each case have been authorised during the last five years.
§ Mr. John MorrisForty-five since September, 1962.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneIn the light of that reply, does not the hon. Gentleman think that really it ought to be possible to explain, as I have requested in an earlier Question, how many of these lines involve severe hardship in the eyes of the Transport Users' Consultative Committee? Is he not trying to evade the admission that the approval of the closure of the Strathmore line in my constituency when a Committee said that severe hardship would be involved was almost unprecedented?
§ Mr. MorrisAs I have explained already on two occasions to the hon. Gentleman, this information is not readily available. The difficulty is that severe hardship does not of necessity mean the same thing to every T.U.C.C. in the country. It may affect hundreds of people, or it may affect only a few. I can give an assurance to the hon. Gentleman that, before deciding the future of any railway line, my right hon. Friend takes full account of this.