§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Minister of Transport what representations have been made to him regarding the proposed takeover of the Carlisle-Edinburgh railway line recently closed by British Railways: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarshI have received only oral representations on this subject. The reported proposal to raise private finance to take over and run the Edinburgh-Hawick-Carlisle railway line is certainly interesting and would obviously be a very large venture. I understand that the promoters have already approached the Railways Board but since they would in any case need statutory powers I cannot comment further at this stage.