§ Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, before accepting recommendations by the appropriate transport users' consultative committee regarding the proposed rail closures in the Stoke-on-Trent industrial area, he will consult local authorities, trade unions and manufacturers;
(2) if he will inform hon. Members and the Press by circular of the recommendations regarding the proposed withdrawal of passenger services, and in particular those in the industrial area of North Staffordshire, made to him by transport users' consultative committees.
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§ Mr. MarplesTransport users consultative committees do not make recommendations about rail closures. Their function is to report to me on hardship and to make proposals, if they wish, for its alleviation. Under Section 56 of the Transport Act, 1962, local authorities, trade unions and manufacturers may, in so far as they represent users, lodge objections to passenger closure proposals with the committees. Where they do so I consider what the committees have to say in their reports to me. I have also made arrangements to enable local authorities and other bodies to make representations direct to me on issues other than hardship. These general arrangements are applicable to the proposed rail closures in the Stoke-on-Trent industrial area