§ Mr. Ledgerasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the part played by the Romford-Upminster railway in diverting passenger traffic from Liverpool Street following the Bishops-gate fire; and whether he will give consideration to this when coming to his decision on the line's future.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI will certainly assess the importance of the passenger service to the transport needs of the area when the closure proposal comes before me for decision, but I doubt whether in that context I could reasonably give much weight to the exceptional event to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. Ledgerasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the application being made by Super Coaches (Upminster) Limited, to extend their bus services in the Romford and Hornchurch area, at a time when the future of the Romford-Upminster railway line is undecided; and if he will give a general direction to Traffic Commissioners to defer decisions on applications for new services until after decisions have been taken on the future of local railway lines.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI am informed by the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner that he has no such application before him. I see no need for a general direction to Commissioners on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.