§ Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any proposal have been submitted to him for the closure of the railway line from Preston to Blackpool South, or any part of it.
§ Dr. GilbertI have received no proposals for the closure of this line or any part of it under the statutory procedures laid down in the Transport Acts of 1962 and 1968. I would not expect any such proposals to be made while the transport policy consultation document is still under discussion.
406Wlocal authorities, planning powers relating to offshore developments which have a visible effect on the environment.
§ Mr. John SilkinI refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross) on 8th and 9th June.—[Vol. 912, c. 632 and 683.] The Coast Protection Act 1949 is intended primarily to provide powers for the protection of the coast against erosion and encroachment by the sea. It would not therefore be appropriate to use this Act as a means of providing planning powers.