HC Deb 05 March 1951 vol 485 c2W
38. Mr. Renton

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement as to the directions of a general character he will issue to the British Transport Commission instructing them to have a comprehensive survey made of the railway system in order to ascertain which railway lines are incapable of bearing the cost of operating the traffic on them.

Mr. Barnes

I do not feel it is necessary for me to issue any such directions to the British Transport Commission. The Transport Act places on the Commission the general duty of providing or securing or promoting the provision of an economical and properly integrated system of public inland transport, and the fulfilment of this obligation will involve questions of the type which the hon. Member has in mind.