§ Sir G. de Freitasasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware of the hardship which will be inflicted on many people living in Northamptonshire by the proposed reduction in railway services; and whether he will take steps to stop this reduction;
(2) whether he is aware of the hardship which will be inflicted on many people living in Northamptonshire by the proposed closing or partial closing of railway stations in the county, such as Corby and Desborough; if, in considering these closures, he will take account of the fact that Corby is growing rapidly in size; and what are the reasons for these closures.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe Railways Board's proposals for reduction of services require my approval only in so far as they involve the complete closure of lines or stations to passengers. I shall consider such proposals, their effects and their justification, in accordance with the policy which I outlined in my statement on 4th November. I shall certainly take account of the expansion of Corby among other factors.