§ 42. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to the statements of the chairman of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway that the company has full plans for a suburban scheme of electrification; that it is ready to set to work at once, but is prevented by the paralysing effect of the Railways Act, which prevents any large schemes of electrification being executed without the consent of four other railway companies; and whether, in the interest of railway enterprise and the urgent need for providing employment, he will announce the early repeal of The Railways Act, 1921?
§ Mr. NEALI have been asked to reply to this question. My attention has been called to the statements made at the meeting in question, and I may point out that other reasons were given besides that mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. LAMBERTHas pot the chairman of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company stated that he was ready to go on with the work, but was held up by some Government Committee? Is the right hon. Gentleman not in a position to dispense with this Government Committee, and let the Brighton Company get on with the work?