§ 22. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Transport how many of the 23,600 wagons and 260 locomotives that have been sold to foreign Governments could have been converted for use on British railways; and whether any more British rolling stock abroad is to be sold to foreigners?
§ 72. Mr. BILLINGasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many wagons of the same gauge as the British railways and also how many engines have been disposed of by His Majesty's Government; whether the Ministry of Transport was consulted before they were sold; and also the price or average price per wagon and per locomotive realised?
§ 73. Captain THORPEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of 17 Munitions whether he can now say what proportion of the railway wagons and locomotives sold by the Disposals Board to the Belgian Government and the French Northern Railway Company were serviceable on English railways?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. James Hope)I have made further inquiry into this matter, and am assured that none of the wagons or locomotives sold by the Disposal Board to the Belgian Government and the French Northern Railway Company were suitable for English railways. I cannot give the average prices per wagon, as some of the sales included other material; but I shall be glad to furnish hon. Members with details of the prices. The Ministry of Transport has been consulted in respect of all such sales effected since that Ministry began its function. The question of further sales abroad or at home will be considered when more rolling stock is thrown up for disposal; but it is unlikely that there will be any great quantity available, and part of such rolling stock will be in distant theatres.
I regret that my former answer on this matter contained a substantial error. The number of wagons sold by the Disposal Board to the Belgian Government is 9,250.
§ Mr. HOUSTONCan the hon. Gentleman tell us what has become of the great amount of rolling stock sent over to France at the beginning of the War?
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it a fact that miles of permanent way were pulled up in this country, and thousands of wagons were sent over? Having regard to the shortage, can something be done towards tracing some of this material?
§ Mr. HOPEThe functions of the Ministry of Munitions is merely to sell material which other Departments say they do not want.
Captain TERRELLIs it not a fact that a large number of the wagons and locomotives which have been sold were used on British railways before the War?
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask the Minister of Transport whether he will not take this question up with the various Depart- 18 ments interested in transport during the War, and see if he cannot trace some of this stock?
§ Sir E. GEDDESEvery British railway wagon, as far as I know, which was sent over from here and still exists, is either back in this country or coming. All the locomotives belonging to British railways have been brought back, and are, I think, in service.