§ 18. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD - BURYasked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the desirability of planting fruit trees along the high roads passing through rural districts in this country; and whether he is aware that such schemes have been adopted and carried out with much success in France, Italy, and Switzerland, and that a considerable revenue accrues from the sale of the fruit which the local authorities devote to the upkeep of the roads?
§ Mr. GOSLINGThe question has been considered, but at present neither my Department nor the county councils has power to spend money on planting trees by the roads. Personally, I should like to see fruit trees by the rural roads.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYWill not the hon. Gentleman consider the suggestion of various rural districts in view of the fact that they seem to expect the unfortunate motorist to pay the greater part of the cost of the rural roads, and is he aware that in France cider apple trees are planted in great numbers of the roads and cider apples are very injurious to the stomachs of small children?
§ Colonel ASHLEYCould not the hon. Gentleman bring in a one-Clause non-contentious Bill to enable local authorities to deal with the matter?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI should be glad to do something of the kind, but it is very difficult to tell what is a non-contentious Bill.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIn the meantime, would the hon. Gentleman obtain particulars from certain Continental countries as to the results which have been obtained.
§ Colonel Sir CHARLES YATEWill the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the desirability of asking railway companies if they can help in the matter by planting along the main lines?