§ 56. Mr. Archie Manuelasked the Minister of Transport what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to assess the social consequences of the large scale rail closures which will follow the British Transport Commission's economic reappraisal of the railway system in Scotland.
§ Mr. MarplesUnder the procedure proposed in the Transport Bill the Scottish Transport Users Consultative Committee will report to me on any hardship involved in a proposed railway passenger closure to which objections have been made. I shall consider their report and all the relevant factors before deciding whether to consent to the closure. I may also attach conditions or give the Railways Board a direction.