§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to provide that closures of railway lines by British Rail shall be subject to (a) use of the line being offered to other people willing to provide a transpot service thereon and (b) where closure proposals relate to lines which are included within the public service obligation grant, such grants should be made available to operators referred to in (a) above, provided that he is satisfied as to their competence.
§ Mr. EyreWe have made it clear that wherever possible some alternative transport use should be found for railway lines from which British Rail has withdrawn services, and we are always interested to consider realistic proposals for their private operation. We shall be considering in the longer term whether changes to existing legislation are necessary.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any closure proposals from British Rail for the line between Settle and Carlisle; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EyreNo. I understand that British Rail is currently undertaking a study of all aspects of the Settle-Carlisle line with a view to determining its long-term future.