HC Deb 24 November 1971 vol 826 cc365-6W
77. Mr. Terry Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what local authorities he consulted outside the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority before his decision on a grant for the North Warwickshire railway line; when these consultations took place; and whether these local authorities indicated their willingness to make a financial contribution to the cost of retaining the line.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

I understand that in 1969 the Passenger Transport Executive consulted the local authorities within whose area the line runs, and that only one was then prepared to make any contribution. Since then my Department has received representations from some of these local authorities, but no further offers of financial help.

Mr. Terry Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is willing to give a grant to British Rail in order to retain the North Warwickshire line in view of the fact that the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority has now decided that the line merits its financial support; what estimate he has made of the loss made by the line; when this estimate was made; and whether the estimate takes into account the revenue received from the increased use of the line for freight services.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

The Railways Board made its estimate of the deficit for 1972 this month. Taking freight traffic into account, the board expects this to be about £340,000.

My Department is now discussing the question of grant with the Passenger Transport Executive.

98. Mr. Terry Davis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he considered the fact that the North Warwickshire railway line serves an area outside the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority before he decided whether he would make a grant to the line; and what proportion of the cost of retaining the line he has estimated to be due to this part of the line.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes". The hypothetical allocation requested in the second part has not been calculated.