§ MR. GRIFFITH BOSCAWENI beg to ask the Secretary to the Board of Trade if he can state how many light railways have been authorised to be constructed under the Light Railways Act, how many have actually been constructed, what is the annual cost of the Light Railway Commission, and whether it is proposed to renew the Act or to allow, it to terminate.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BONAR LAW, Glasgow, Blackfriars)The length of lines authorised as light railways under the Light Rail ways Act up to the present date is 1,567 miles, and 429 miles have been constructed and opened for traffic. The cost of the Light Railway
† See (4) Debates, exlv.,68.755 Commission in the financial year 1903–4 was £3,647, and from the commencement of the Act to the end of that year was .£22,991. Some additional expense is incurred by the Board of Trade in dealing with Orders made and submitted to them. The total amount received in fees under the Act to the 31st March, 1904, was £22,750. Proposals for amending and continuing the Act are now before this House.