§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Transport what is her decision regarding the application of the British Railways Board on the disposal of the track and formation of the Aberdeen-Ballater branch line.
§ Mr. John MorrisWe are still in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on this matter. Pending the outcome of these further consultations my right hon. Friend asked the Railways Board to retain, for the time being, the track and formation which would be essential in the event of a passenger service being restored. We104W recognise however that it would not be sensible to make the Railways Board keep the track indefinitely in the absence of a sound economic case for the restoration of services.