§ 3. Brigadier-General Sir HILL CHILDasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the purpose for which it is intended to use the overhead railway now being constructed by the Government over a distance of about seven miles across the Duke of Richmond's Goodwood estate, in view of the fact that the object for which this railway was originally intended, i.e., to carry timber to a Government factory at Lavant, no longer exists, the factory having been closed since 18th July and advertised for sale?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe ropeway referred to was intended not only to supply the factory but to carry plank timber to a point where it can be put on the railway. The ropeway, which is on the point of completion, will still be required for the latter purpose.
§ Major Earl WINTERTONIs it intended to continue work on this ropeway?
§ Sir A. GEDDESYes. The ropeway is now on the point of completion.
§ Earl WINTERTONAs there is a perfectly good main road adjoining North Wood, to which the timber is being brought, why cannot it be hauled along the road, and why is it necessary to construct, at great cost, an overhead railway in the wilds of the country?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI have not myself had an opportunity of seeing the locality, so I cannot express any opinion as to the excellence or otherwise of the high road, but this ropeway was, I understand, started to work in connection with a factory. The factory construction was stopped, but the ropeway construction was so far forward that it was cheaper to complete it.
§ Earl WINTERTONIn view of the fact that this is regarded in the locality as a very grave scandal, will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter and make some further reference to it when the House meets in the autumn?
§ Sir A. GEDDESA very easy method of raising the matter will be to put down a question.
§ Major MORRISON-BELLIs this one of those Departmental snowballs which cannot stop rolling?