§ Mr. PIRIEasked the President of the Board of Trade if the attention of the Government has been drawn to the growing necessities, especially in country districts, for an increase of facilities for the promotion of trackless tramways; if he can state the number of Bills and Provisional Orders, respectively, that have had to be promoted through the House of Commons for this purpose, and what is the total cost of such promotion; and if, in view of the fact that such tramways require no more erection than does the establishment of telegraph or telephone lines along the road which connection the telephone authorities were permitted to put up without having to come to this House, the Government would consider the desirability of leaving this matter within the hands of the local authorities by authorising direct communication with the Board of Trade in order to obtain the necessary sanction?
Mr. BUXTONDuring the last three Sessions twenty-four Bills or Orders were promoted for the purpose of authorising the running of cars on the trackless trolley system, and twelve Bills or Orders for the like purpose are being promoted this Session. Of the twenty-four schemes eight only have been sanctioned by Parliament. I have no information as to the total cost of promotion which has been incurred. The question of facilitating trackless trolley schemes has been under the consideration of the Board of Trade, and I hope to be able to introduce legislation on the subject.