§ Mr. Websterasked the Minister of Transport how she proposes to keep in operation railway lines which run at a loss.
§ Mrs. CastleI would refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to his Questions following my statement to the House of 15th March.—[Vol. 743, c. 405–6.]
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Minister of Transport what evidence she now has of the social effects of the closures of uneconomic rail services.
§ Mrs. CastleThe evidence brought to my notice from time to time indicates that the alternative means of transport provided as a condition of consent to closure generally prove to be adequate for the needs of former rail users. I have no evidence of any other substantial social effects but I hope to publish soon the report of the analysis of a consultants' Survey dealing with three individual rail closures.