§ Mr. WILLIAM NICHOLSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the proposal of the London and South-Western Railway Company to abandon the Alton and Basingstoke Light Railway, the rails of which were pulled up and sent abroad during the War; whether he is aware that this line has for some years served a large agricultural neighbourhood; and whether, in view of the Prime Minister's pledges, during the recent General Election, to improve communications in the agricultural interest, he will immediately bring pressure to bear on the London and South-Western Railway Company to restore and reopen this line as soon as possible?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANMy right hon. Friend has been in communication with the London and South-Western Railway Company on this matter, and understands that, while they have not yet arrived at a definite decision, they see no prospect in existing circumstances of the light railway being relaid and reopened for traffic in the near future. The general question of improvement of communications will be one for the consideration of the Ministry of Ways and Communications when it is established, and in the meantime my right hon. Friend could not usefully take action, as suggested, in this particular case.