§ Mr. Madden asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each stretch of railway from which British Rail withdrew passenger services but did not submit the closure to the full procedures laid down in section 56 of the Transport Act 1962 on the grounds that the alternative was of the nature of a service improvement, in each of the last three years; and if he will also list any stretches of railway in respect of which British Rail has decided to adopt this procedure, but not yet implemented it.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Department does not have the information requested. In the first instance it is for the Railways Board to satisfy itself whether the statutory closure procedures apply to its plans for any particular stretch of line or station. It is always open to those affected by such plans to challenge them.