§ Viscount SANDONasked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the number of railway tracks in the United Kingdom now disused; and whether he can give a list, with the dates, mileage, and railway company involved in each case, stating the reason for their abandonment, after use, giving period of their operation, during construction, and in the case of those not yet started but for which Parliamentary authority has been given?
1651W
§ Colonel ASHLEYAt the 31st December, 1924, the latest date for which complete particulars are at present available, the total length of railway authorised but not open for traffic, was, according to the returns of the railway companies in Great Britain, 746 miles 79 chains. Of this, 5 miles 59 chains were constructed but not open for traffic, 11 miles 60 chains were returned as dismantled, and 121 miles 49 chains were under construction. Of the remaining 607 miles 71 chains, a proportion may have been constructed or partially constructed. I am afraid that the remainder of the information desired by my Noble Friend could only be furnished, if at all, after considerable research, which the results would hardly justify.