§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the anxiety which has been caused to horse-breeding interests and users of horse transport by his recent statement with regard to the elimination of horse transport in London, he can now state whether he is prepared to change his policy in this direction and to permit any transition in this respect to take place naturally and as determined by economic considerations?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have never, so far as I am aware, said that I propose to eliminate the horse in London. I have, however, recently made inquiries of the largest users of horse-drawn vehicles in Central London as to the rate of progress which might be expected or would be practicable in the substitution of mechanical for horse-drawn traffic, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I shall give the closest consideration to any representations I receive from those affected. I take the view that the presence during the daytime of slow-moving horse-drawn traffic on some of the more important streets in London slows down other and faster moving traffic and adds to congestion.