§ Mr. Boothasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has in the past year commissioned any studies into the possibilities of replacing railway services by bus services.
§ Mr. David HowellI am always concerned to ensure that the best use is made of transport resources, and keep the possibilities under review. In that context I have commissioned a study on the feasibility of converting to road use the redundant railway line between Woodside and Selsdon in the London Borough of Croydon, and I have contributed towards the cost of a similar study in respect of the disused trans-Pennine Woodhead Tunnel. The Serpell committee which I appointed also included suggestions about bus substitution in its report.
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§ Mr. Boothasked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies, commissioned in the past year by nationalised industries or companies for which he is the sponsoring Minister, into the possibilities of substituting bus for railway services are available to him, or, where not yet completed, are to be supplied to him.
§ Mr. David HowellMy Department received copies of evidence given by the British Railways Board and the National Bus Company to the Serpell committee about desk studies they have made.