HC Deb 19 January 1976 vol 903 cc904-5
8. Mr. Gwynfor Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what applications the Welsh Office has received during the last 10 years for planning permission to convert British Rail property to other uses.

Mr. Alec Jones

Planning applications are made to local planning authorities and the great majority are determined by them without reference to the Secretary of State. It would not be possible, without disproportionate effort, to say how many of the cases which reach my right hon. and learned Friend annually on appeal involve British Rail property.

Mr. Evans

Is the Under-Secretary aware that there is a danger that there will be many more of these applications in the future? The railway unions have good reasons for fearing that the greater part of our remaining network is under threat. Is the Under-Secretary aware that in the 1960s, when the Beeching cuts were at their height, South Wales was the most prosperous region for the whole of the British railway system, and that if Wales had had a transport board or a Welsh Assembly at that time we would not have seen our system decimated? Therefore, will he do his utmost to ensure that no mile of Welsh railway line is again closed until a Welsh Assembly can be consulted?

Mr. Alec Jones

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question follows from his main Question. However, I agree that the Beeching cuts in Wales and other parts of the country were disastrous, and made nonsense of a planned railway system. As was said in reply to an earlier general question on this matter, we are not aware of any plans to cut or reduce the railway service in Wales.

Mr. Anderson

As British Rail is notoriously reluctant to release land for community purposes in other parts of the country, will my hon. Friend undertake to lean on it in appropriate circumstances?

Mr. Alec Jones

I am willing to lean on British Rail or anyone else if I think it is in the interests of the people of Wales so to do. If my hon. Friend has any specific matter in mind I shall be pleased to hear from him.