§ Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of of Transport what consultations she had with British Railways prior to the decision to take up part of the Darlington to Middleton-in-Teesdale railway track; and by what authority British Railways departed from the undertaking given to the Consultative Committee that the railway would be used in an emergency.
§ Mr. SwinglerLast October the Railways Board sought the agreement of my right hon. Friend's predecessor, to the disposal of the route of the section of railway line between Piercebridge and Middleton-in-Teesdale. After consultation with the Departments responsible for planning, he was satisfied that there were no grounds for opposing disposal. The 333W Board were informed accordingly last December. The Railways Board, I understand, gave no undertaking to the Transport Users' Consultative Committee that the railway would be used in an emergency.