16. Sir J. D. REESasked the Minister of Transport whether it is still proposed to group the Midland Railway with the North Western Railway, whereby the interests of Nottingham, Leicester, Sheffield, Bradford and Leeds cannot but suffer; whether the intention to amalgamate the Great Central Railway with the Great Eastern Railway, North Eastern Railway, and Great Northern Railway still holds the field; and whether he is aware that these combinations appear to the Midland areas affected to be incongruous and detrimental to the public interest?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI cannot accept the statements upon which the hon. baronet bases the first part of his question, and as to the remainder I must ask him to await the introduction at an early date of the Bill for the re-organisation of railways.
Sir J. D. REESIs it a fact that there has been some reconsideration of this lateral grouping in favour of the longitudinal principle?
§ Sir E. GEDDESIt is a little difficult to say what is lateral and what is longitudinal. I have been reconsidering the whole question, and when the Bill is introduced my right hon. Friend will see what the proposals are.