HC Deb 12 July 1967 vol 750 cc89-91W
79. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Minister of Transport when she received the advice of the South East Economic Planning Council about the proposal to close the Hurst Green—Lewes and Eridge—Groombridge—Tunbridge Wells railway lines; what steps she took to ensure that their advice incorporated the views of the East Sussex County Council; and by whom the East Sussex County Council is represented on the South Eastern Economic Planning Council.

Mr. John Morris

We have not yet received the South East Economic Planning Council's advice on this rail passenger closure proposal. I have every confidence that the Council will exercise its own judgment in formulating its advice. The members of Economic Planning Councils serve in their individual capacities and not as representatives of any other body.

80. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Minister of Transport on what date she received the report of the County Planning Officer of the East Sussex County Council to the effect that the proposal to close the Hurst Green—Lewes and Eridge—Groombridge—Tunbridge Wells railway lines was the antithesis of good planning; and what account she took of this before deciding that there was a prima facie case for closure.

Mr. John Morris

We received this report through the Ministry of Housing and Local Government early this year. My right hon. Friend agreed last September, after studying the advice of the Economic Planning Council for the South East, that the Railways Board could publish their closure proposal because it was not obviously unacceptable on economic planning grounds. This allowed a full and detailed examination in accordance with the statutory procedure and it is in the light of this examination that my right hon. Friend will make her decision.

84. Mr. G. Johnson Smith

asked the Minister of Transport when she intends to announce her decision on whether to close the Hurst Green to Lewes line.

91. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister of Transport when she will announce her decision on the proposed closure of the Hurst Green-Lewes and Eridge-Groombridge-Tunbridge Wells railway lines.

Mr. John Morris

My right hon. Friend will announce her decision when she has been able to give full consideration to all the many factors involved in this complex case. This will take some time.

86. Sir J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Transport if she will give an assurance that when she announces her decision about the possible closure of the Lewes—Hurst Green line, there is sufficient time for the matter to be raised in the House before action is taken.

Mr. John Morris

There will be ample opportunity for hon. Members to let my right hon. Friend have any views on this proposal before she takes her decision. She has already agreed to meet those who have a special interest in this case.

87. Sir J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Transport if she will publish the reasons in the OFFICIAL REPORT for her decision on the future of the Lewes—Hurst Green line.

Mr. John Morris

No, but in accordance with the practice followed by successive Ministers, my right hon. Friend will ensure that hon. Members with a special interest receive copies of the official decision letter.

92. Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine

asked the Minister of Transport what was the cost to public funds of the inquiry held by the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for the South Eastern area into the proposed closure of the Hurst Green—Lewes and Eridge—Groombridge—Tunbridge Wells railway lines.

Mr. John Morris

I understand that the cost of this hearing was about £850.

Section 56(16) of the Transport Act, 1962, provides for such expenses to be met by the nationalised Transport Boards.