§ 41 and 42. Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, from the point of view of safety, he has arrived at a decision in respect of the retention or otherwise of the tram track rails on roads where the tramways are replaced by trolley-omnibuses;
(2) whether, having regard to the concern of his Department in all main roads of the country, both structurally and financially, consultations took place between his departmental engineers, those of the London Passenger Transport Board, and those of the local authorities concerned in respect to the amount of money to be paid to local authorities where tram-rails are in such a condition that they can safely be left on the roads where tramcars are superseded by trolley-omnibuses?
§ Mr. BurginThe condition of the track and its relation to the road surface must govern the question whether a disused tram track can be retained temporarily pending reconstruction of the road. The liability of the London Passenger Transport Board in this matter is governed by Section 23 of the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933, as amended by Section 90 of the London Passenger Transport Act, 1936.
§ Mr. GrovesWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of question 42 as to whether there has been any consultation with the engineers, and is he aware of the arrangement in certain London areas which is throwing a heavy financial burden on the authorities?
§ Mr. BurginThat supplementary question raises a point which goes a good deal further than the matter to which I have been asked to give a reply.
§ Mr. GrovesNo. Will the right hon. Gentleman read question 42 as to the burden on local authorities?