§ Mr. Ripponasked the Minister of Transport for what reasons she rejected the recommendation of the North-East Transport Users Consultative Committee that Gilsland station should be retained 148W as an unmanned halt; and whether she will give further consideration to this matter.
§ Mr. John MorrisMy right hon. Friend gave her consent to the closure of the station to passengers because, after studying the Consultative Committee's report, she came to the conclusion that the alternative bus service available would be adequate in view of the small numbers of travellers involved. The Railways Board is not, however, precluded from considering the Committee's suggestion that it might be retained as an unstaffed halt, though I understand that there are objections to this.