§ Mr. Staintonasked the Minister of Transport what request he has received from British Railways for social grants, under the Transport Act 1968, to maintain passenger services on the Ipswich to Lowestoft and the Marks Tey to Sudbury lines.
§ Mr. MarshAs I announced in my reply to the hon. Member on 15thSud-bury November, I have decided to pay grant in respect of the Ipswich to Lowestoft service but have tentatively concluded that the Colchester to Sudbury service should not be grant-aided. I understand that the British Railways Board will shortly be publishing a closure proposal in respect of the section of route between Marks Tey and Sudbury, including the three stations Chappel and Wakes Colne, Bures and Sudbury, but the service will continue to run in its present form until I have reached a final decision after completion of the normal statutory closure procedures.—[Vol. 773, c.172–180.]