HL Deb 14 July 1970 vol 311 cc421-2
LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the decision that was taken by the previous Government to close the Avenge line between Carlisle and Edinburgh is irrevocable.]

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, the decision taken by the previous Government to consent to the closure of the Wavelet line is indeed irrevocable. My right honourable friend, the Minister of Transport has no power to revoke a statutory closure consent given by one of his predecessors.

LORD NAPIER AND ETTRICK

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, which finally dispels the very real uncertainty existing in the minds of many of the local population, may I ask whether he can tell your Lordships how much of the £2 million that was promised by the previous Government in 1968 for improving the Borden roads over a period of three to four years has in fact been spent? Also, what action can be taken to speed up the work, which proceeds at a snail's pace? And have Her Majesty's Government any plans to improve the bus services in the landward areas?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, with regard to what has taken place already, of the £2 million which was promised over a period of four years over £843,000 worth of work has been, or is about to be, completed in this area. There is a plan in (two phases involving a link road between Galoshes and St. Boswells and although there have been one or two objections to the sale of land it is hoped that the first phase, Galoshes to Melrose, will start in three or four months' time. Phase 2, which will, like phase 1, cost £750,000. will follow, and on top of that in the next two years expenditure is planned in the area which will amount to a further £356,000. With regard to the third part of the noble Lord's question, that is a point which my right honourable friend will not accept as being true. Our information is that the bus services have been increased and are adequate.

VISCOUNT ADDISON

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether the Government will give assistance and encouragement to private enterprise railway companies endeavoring to reopen the Wavelet line to the South?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, that is rather another question but the only private; railway company which has come forward, as the noble Lord knows, withdrew owing to lack of finance.

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