§ 33. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations have been made to him by British Rail concerning the closure of the Brighton—Portsmouth passenger service; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsNone, Sir. As announced in my right hon. Friend's answer of 18th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward Taylor), he has recently renewed grant aid for this service for a further year.—[Vol. 829, c. 160–3.]
§ Mr. JuddI thank the Minister for that reply. Will he not understand that, in view of his overall responsibilities for regional development, we need much 458 longer-term reassurances for an area of such natural growth as this part of the South Coast?
§ Mr. GriffithsI am glad that the hon. Gentleman is pleased that my right hon. Friend should have provided a further grant to keep open this line. He will know that certain economies are being made. They are to be re-examined in the following year, and that is why the grant aid renewal is for one year only.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesOn the question of closures, will my hon. Friend note that British Railways have a great future, and take heed of the words of the Winchester town clerk who said that anyone who closed a railway line or any public transport in that area of great population growth qualified for a grave in Winchester Cathedral beside that of Ethelred the Unready?
§ Mr. GriffithsIt is for my hon. and gallant Friend to take heed of what his town clerk tells him. I always take heed of what my hon. and gallant Friend tells me.