§ 72 and 79. Mr. GRANTasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he has now had an opportunity of considering, along with the Board of Trade or otherwise, the possibility of an extension of the North-Eastern railway system to Nenthead in order to develop the mineral wealth of that district; at what decision, if any, has he arrived;
(2) whether he has now had an opportunity, in consultation with the Ministry of Transport or otherwise, of obtaining a 569 report on the mining and other industrial possibilities of Nenthead, Cumberland, with a view to the development of that inaccessible portion of Cumberland by means of an extension of the existing railway system?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Robert Horne)I have been asked to reply. The Board of Trade are investigating the mining and other industrial possibilities of the district referred to, and are in communication with the Joint Industrial Council for the Quarrying Industry, the Non-Ferrous Mining Interim Industrial Committee, and the Forestry Commission. When these investigations have been completed, the whole position will be put before the Ministry of Transport for immediate consideration.
§ Mr. SWANCan we have an assurance there will be an inquiry, as promised, as to opening up the whole of the minerals of that agricultural area?
§ Sir R. HORNEAccording to the preliminary report I have before me, all the mineral resources of the district are being inquired into.