§ 14. Colonel Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Minister of Transport if, when the £60,000,000 is paid to railway companies on the cessation of Government control, any provision will be made under the allocation of the grants for the reinstatement of light railways which were destroyed during the period of the War whether any compensation was paid for the rails, etc., to the London and South Western Railway Company when the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway was taken up and on whom the responsibility will rest for the reopening of this light railway after the 15th of August?
§ Sir E. GEDDESIn reply to the first part of his question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to Clause 10 (4) of the Railways Bill, which leaves the allocation of any money received out of the proposed lump sum entirely to the discretion of the company concerned. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, the question of the reopening of the light railway is one for decision by the company.