§ Mr. ROWNTREEasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of light railways constructed under the Light Railways Act of 1896 for the conveyance of agricultural produce, as distinct from tramways; and what is the mileage of the railways and the capital invested?
§ Mr. BURNSIt would appear from the latest figures at my disposal that there are fifty-four light railways, other than road lines, now working under the Light Railways Act, 1896, the total length of which is 527 miles. A few of these lines were originally authorised by special Act of Parliament, and were brought under the Act of 1896 by Light Railway Orders subsequently issued. I cannot say how far these lines are used for the conveyance of agricultural produce as distinct from other traffic, and as many of them belong to main-line railway companies it would not be possible to give complete information as regards the amount of capital invested in them.