62. Mr. MALONEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his department has recently made special inquiries into the state of congestion on the omnibus and underground routes, particularly at those hours of the day when professional and Government department employees have to travel; whether his department is still making practical investigations; what report has been rendered; have the Government insisted on better facilities, and if so what; have the Government considered 36 the diversion of freight traffic from passenger routes at certain hours of the day; and what action does His Majesty's Government intend to take, in view of the fact that £5,000,000 has been granted to the traffic combine under the Trades Facilities Act?
§ Mr. NEALThe subject of facilities for London traffic has been, as the hon. Member is aware, the subject of several general inquiries, and the whole question of the control of London traffic will no doubt be considered by the Royal Commission on London Government. The matter is under continual observation by the Departments concerned, and I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question last Monday, to which I can only add that freight traffic is not carried over underground routes during peak load hours.
Sir F. HALLIn the event of a Royal Commission being appointed and reporting, will some attention be given to it or will it be kept in the archives of the Government the same as they have done for the last century with regard to London traffic?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question is all hypothesis.