HC Deb 25 April 1917 vol 92 cc2401-2
86. Mr. CLANCY

asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether the Board has considered the question of taking over the Blessington and Dublin steam tram way or railway; whether he is aware that this railway is actually used for various purposes by the military authorities; and will he say why, if similar lines have been taken over in Ireland and England, this line has been left out of consideration, especially in view of the fact that, owing to the direct action of the Admiralty authorities, the owners were recently prevented from obtaining the engines necessary for even ordinary traffic?

Mr. ROBERTS

The Board of Trade have considered very carefully the question of taking over the Dublin and Blessington tramway, but they are unable to recommend that the Government should secure possession of the tramway. I am not aware that the Government has taken possession of tramways to which precisely the same considerations apply as those which obtain in the case of the Dublin and Blessington line.