§ 47 and 48. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Minister of Transport (1) if, in view of the factual conflict respecting the proposed closure of the Quakers' Yard 205W Tunnel and the line therefrom to the Ocean and Taff Merthyr collieries, he will institute an inquiry before giving his consent to the closure;
(2) to what extent, in considering the proposed closure of the railway from Quakers' Yard to the Ocean and Taff Merthyr collieries, he will take into consideration the difficulties of distribution of house coal from the Abercynon the Cilfynydd collieries to Treharris, general goods from Brecon and Merthyr and coal from the Merthyr Vale colliery to the Midlands and North of England, which at present is normally worked via the railway yards at Quakers' Yard.
§ Mr. MarplesOn 14th January last I announced my consent under Section 56 of the Transport Act, 1962 to the withdrawal of all railway passenger services on the Vale of Neath line and the associated services between Nelson and Dowlais. The closure of railway lines to freight does not need my consent. This is a matter entirely for the British Railways Board. The question of an inquiry or consideration by me of the circumstances of the case the hon. Member mentions does not therefore arise.