§ 54 and 55. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether she will make a statement on the present position of the railway line from Wiven-hoe to Brightlingsea; and whether she will reopen this line on the grounds of social necessity;
(2) what she estimates would be the cost of reopening the Wivenhoe-Brightlingsea branch line.
§ Mr. John MorrisConsent to the withdrawal of passenger services on this line was given and closure effected under the previous Government. My right hon. Friend has no powers to require the Railways Board to reopen the line. This question, and the cost of doing so, is a matter for the Railways Board. She has no evidence that there are real social grounds for reopening.