§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Transport what representations she has had from the Western Region of the Railways Board to close the Exeter to Okehampton line and the Exeter to Barnstaple line; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe passenger services on these lines were listed for modification in the Railways Board's Reshaping Report. In March last year my right hon. Friend's predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, refused a request from the Board to allow publication of proposals for the complete withdrawal of these services. The Board has recently notified us of its intention to give advance notice under Section 54 of the Transport Act, 1962, of their plans now to modify the services between Exeter and Barnstaple by the closure of intermediate stations. If it does so and later asks for my right hon.284W Friend's permission to publish a formal proposal under Section 56 of the Act she will consider whether there are any planning implications which would make the proposal obviously unacceptable from the outset. In doing so she will have the benefit of the views of the Economic Planning Council for the South West.