§ 20. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if his Department will study the contribution which could be made by the tram in solving urban transport problems.
§ Mr. PeytonMy Department has a programme of studies on new or improved systems of urban transport, including vehicles on segregated track.
§ Mr. AdleyI thank my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply, showing that his Department has not closed its eyes to the value of the electric transport systems to which reference was made a few moments ago, and I refer him to a book, by a near neighbour of his called "British Electric Tramways ". Will he do all he can to ensure that his officials look carefully at urban transport systems, particularly tramways, which have been developed in many Continental cities which have had the chance to modernise their urban transport methods?
§ Mr. PeytonI take due note of the advice which my hon. Friend has given, and I cannot wait to read the book which he has recommended to me.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThe House will be grateful for some of the Minister's replies on this subject today. Will he give an assurance that he is treating-with the utmost urgency the application by the Tyneside Passenger Transport Executive for a rapid transit system?
§ Mr. PeytonYes, Sir, I am dealing with the matter urgently, and I have prmised the Executive a decision by the end of the year.