§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what bus services will be available for the present passengers on the Carlisle-Settle line when the service is withdrawn.
§ Mr. David MitchellI will want to consider that issue in the the light of the further report on hardship which I have asked the TUCCs to submit.
§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make available the details of British Rail's current and estimated revenue and operating costs on the Carlisle to Settle line.
§ Mr. David MitchellBritish Rail estimates that the gross cost of running the line in 1987–88 will have been £2.7 million and revenue about £1 million. Its estimates of costs and revenues in the future if the line stayed open were set out in its financial case for closure, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House on 25 February 1987. I have now asked BR to update those figures.
§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport why the capital and revenue contributions of the joint local authorities to the running of the Carlisle-Settle railway were not included in the list of public and private bodies in theOfficial Report of 16 May, columns 683–84.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe local authority contributions had already received wide publicity. But I did refer to them in my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) and my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Mr. Curry) on 16 May,Official Report, column 677.