§ Sir T. Beamishasked the Minister of Transport what is her practice regarding formal and informal consultation of area 218W economic planning councils with regard to proposed railway closures or other matters.
§ Mr. John MorrisMy right hon. Friend's practice regarding consultations with economic planning councils with regard to proposed railway closures is as described by her predecessor in his statement to the House on 31st March, 1965, except that where the proposal relates to lines not included in the published Network for Development the Railways Board do not need to seek her agreement to publication, as was explained in the Foreword to the Map. These consultations are on a formal basis.
My right hon. Friend consults the councils formally on other matters whenever it appears their advice would be valuable. She discusses policy matters with council chairmen from time to time, but there is no established practice of informal consultation.