§ 28. Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the inadequacy of the transport facilities to the Dagenham and Becontree London County Council estates; and whether, in addition to endeavouring to improve the railway facilities, he can take any steps to extend existing tramways to the estates?
§ Colonel ASHLEYAs the hon. Member is aware, this matter has already been under consideration by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee in connection with the improvement of travelling facilities generally to and from these areas. The Committee have not yet made any specific recommendation with regard to the extension of existing tramways in this neighbourhood, but I will bring the hon. Member's question to their notice in order that they may have it before them in connection with any further recommendation they may wish to make.
§ Mr. HARRISAs the right hon. Gentleman's Department is still in existence, cannot he exercise some authority himself as Minister of Transport in 1819 order to improve the transport facilities, quite apart from the action of the Advisory Committee?
§ Colonel ASHLEYWe are doing all we can, but we must work with the local authorities.
§ Mr. MARCHWill the right hon. Gentleman advise some of the members of the Advisory Committee to go to live on this estate and try to get up to their work in London every day?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe members of the Advisory Committee, through a sub-committee, have examined all these things personally very fully, and are fully seized of the situation.
§ Sir JOSEPH NALLCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether steps are taken to inform housing authorities in cases such as this that transport facilities are not available in the locality and that better sites ought to be secured?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe reference which is made in this question to the Dagenham site is an old story.