Minister Orders Buses to Replace Rail
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MR. MARPLES has used his powers to require additional bus services to be operated in agreeing to Dr.'Beeching's proposal to close the Exe Valley passenger rail service from Exeter (St. Davids) to Dulverton. This is the first West Country branch to be closed under the new procedures of the 1962 Transport Act, and the manner of the Minister's sanction has brought him strong censure from a local M.P., Mr. R. Maxwell-Hyslop (Tiverton, Con.).
Twenty-four hours before Parliament rose for the recess last week, Mr.
Maxwell-Hyslop was informed by the Minister that he was going to consent to the closure. The M.P. retaliated by tabling what was virtually a motion of censure on Mr. Morales, who, he said, hail by his timing effectively prevented him from raising the matter in the House. The closure went before the local Transport Users' Consultative Committee nine months ago. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop could not believe that the Minister needed to time his decision as he did.
Mr, Maxwell-Hyslop has expressed doubts about the bus services.