§ 20. Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, as Chairman of the Scottish Economic Planning Council, he will make public the views of the Council on the proposed closure of the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle railway line.
§ Mr. SteelIs the Secretary of State aware that the Borders Economic Group has made public its view that this decision is a serious mistake, and that it is public knowledge that the Scottish Planning Council supports that view? Will he take account of the recent representations of the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) and the Church and National Committee of the Church of Scotland, and stand up to his Cabinet colleagues in seeking to have the decision reviewed?
§ Mr. RossI can assure the hon. Gentleman that exhaustive study was given to this matter. As he knows, this closure was held up for a considerable period in order that we should have this exhaustive study, but there is no doubt at all that the evidence was that the decision would not be an inhibiting factor on economic growth.
§ Mr. MonroWould the Secretary of State accept that the closure of the goods section of a line subsequent to the closure of the passenger section are often equal disasters? Will he confirm or deny that the goods section of the Waverley line will be closed in the spring?
§ Mr. RossI do not intend to confirm anything at all about that. It is a matter for the Ministry of Transport.