§ Mr. G. Johnson Smithasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he is aware that the South-East Economic Planning Council did not consider the East Sussex County Council Development Plan for Crawley Down and Copthorne when giving advice to the Minister of Transport about her consent to the closure of the Three Bridges to Groombridge railway; and what were the reasons for this decision.
§ Mr. ShoreThe advice of Regional Economic Planning Councils to the Government on railway closures is confidential, but the wider economic planning implications for the region are taken into66W account. In this particular case, I understand the county council has prepared a village map for the area, but this has not been brought to the notice of the Planning Council.
§ Mr. G. Johnson Smithasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will take steps to see that, when railway questions are discussed by the South-East Economic Planning Council, the representatives of British Railways shall not be admitted to the Council, so as to avoid accusations of partiality.
§ Mr. ShoreAlthough relevant evidence is obtained it is not the practice of the Council to invite officials of British Railways to attend full Council meetings when railway closures are being discussed.
One Council member is employed by British Railways; but members are appointed as individuals and not as representatives of any organisation. My right hon. Friend sees no reason for making any special rule in this case.