§ Brigadier-General SURTEES asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, according to the latest returns, the tramways worked and owned by the London County Council and other local authorities throughout the country show increasingly adverse balance sheets, despite the fact that the fares have in nearly every case been considerably increased; and if, before Parliamentary power is given to both public and private bodies to extend the system, he will appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire as to whether the tramway system is gradually becoming obsolete and is being supplanted by newer, quicker, and less obstructive methods of vehicular locomotion?
§ Mr. NEAL: I am aware that tramway undertakings throughout the country are seriously affected by increased costs of working. I do not, however, think that in the present abnormal conditions a general inquiry of the nature suggested could usefully be undertaken.