HC Deb 10 July 1922 vol 156 cc832-5
53. Mr. HANNON

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is in a position to make a statement on the progress that is being made in the grouping of railways as provided for in the Railways Act, 1921; and whether he can indicate the time at which the economies which shall be effected in the process of grouping will be reflected in reduced railway rates and fares?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Neal)

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the Amalgamation and Absorption Schemes already approved by the Amalgamation Tribunal under the terms of the Railways Act, 1921. I understand, informally, that further progress towards grouping by negotiation is being made. My hon. Friend will realise that it is not possible to indicate at what date the progressive economies to be expected from these schemes will be reflected in reduced railway charges.

Mr. HANNON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the terrible burden of railway rates on the industry of this country, and that a reduction of rates can only be effected by either of two things—by a reduction of railwaymen's wages, or by economies—and that the sooner we can have economies the better?

RAILWAYS ACT, 1921.
AMALGAMATION AND ABSORPTION SCHEMES.
Statement referred to in Answer to Mr. Hannon's Question.
The undermentioned Amalgamation and Absorption Schemes, under the provisions of Section 8 of the Railways Act, 1921, have been approved by the Railways Amalgamation Tribunal:—
Short Title and Date of Scheme. Date of Operation. Amalgamating. Absorbing.
The London and North Western and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Companies' Amalgamation Scheme, 1921. 20th December, 1921. S.R. & 0., 1921, No. 2078. 1922. 1st January The London and North Western and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Companies. —
The Great Western Railway (Western Group) Preliminary Amalgamation Scheme, 1922. 25th March, 1922. S.R. & 0., 1922, No. 334. 1st January The Great Western, Cambrian, Cardiff, Rhymney, Taff Yale Railway Companies, and the Alexandra (Newport and South Wales) Docks and Railway Company. —
The North Eastern and Hull and Barnsley Railway Companies Amalgamation Scheme, 1922. 1st April, 1922. S.R. & 0., 1922, No. 393. 1st April The North Eastern and Hull and Barnsley Railway Companies. The Great Western and Barry Railway Companies' Preliminary Amalgamation Scheme, 1922. 8th May, 1922. S.R. & 0., 1922, No. 545. —
The Great Western Railway (Western Group) Preliminary Absorption Scheme (No. 1), 1922. 9th May, 1922. S.R. & 0., 1922, No. 557. 1st January — The Cleobury, Mortimer and Ditton Priors Light Railway Company; the Penarth Harbour Dock and Railway Company; the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company; the Princetown and the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Companies.

In addition to the foregoing there has been submitted to the Minister of Transport a scheme by the Great Western Railway Company for the absorption of the following:

Brecon and Merthyr Tydfil Junction, the Burry Port and Gwendreath Valley,

Mr. NEAL

I am fully aware of these matters, and they form very appropriate subjects for consideration by the Rates Tribunal.

Following is the statement referred to:

the Lampeter Aberayron and New Quay Light, the Neath and Brecon, the Ross and Monmouth, the Vale of Glamorgan, the West Somerset, and the Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway Companies. This scheme is now under consideration of the Railways Amalgamation Tribunal.

Notification has also been received by the Minister of Transport that terms have been agreed between the companies concerned for the amalgamation of the London and North Western Railway Company with the North London Railway Company, and this scheme will in due course be submitted through the Minister of Transport to the Railways Amalgamation Tribunal for their approval.