§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he was aware that the Prussian State Railway 1830 administration are vigorously pursuing a policy of electrifying the Prussian railway system; and seeing that electric railways in Germany will facilitate the supply of cheap electric power to industry and greatly increase German productive power, what steps he proposed to take to confer similar advantages upon. British railway traffic and British industry; and (2) if, in view of the importance of the subject, he would present to the House a translation of the Report to the Prussian Diet by the State Railway administration upon the economy and advantages of electric traction for long-distance railway traffic?
Mr. BUXTONI will answer my hon. Friend's two questions together. I am aware that it is proposed to equip certain sections of main line on the Prussian State Railways for electric traction. I do not think that we have so far any reason to be disappointed with the progress of electric traction in. this country, and the Railways (Electrical Power) Act, 1903, provides facilities for its introduction on railways. But Parliament has not been inclined to encourage the supply of energy by a railway company to other industries. I will see if I can obtain a copy of the report to which my hon. Friend refers, and. will consider his suggestion.