HC Deb 28 November 1922 vol 159 cc486-7
16. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give any details as to the financial results of the attempt to build locomotives in the State-owned works at Woolwich; and whether he has any comparative data as to the simultaneous attempt to build locomotives under private enterprise at the Elswick works?

Lieut.-Colonel JACKSON

Fifty locomotives have been completed at Woolwich at an average cost of £15,600; work on a further fifty has been suspended at a stage about 30 per cent, short of completion. The locomotives have been handed over to the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, but so far as I am aware none have yet been sold, and I am therefore not yet in a position to indicate the loss on the transaction. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Sir J. REMNANT

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the great railway companies of the country have been approached with a view to taking over these locomotives?

Lieut.-Colonel JACKSON

I believe everybody has been approached.

Mr. HANNON

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

We have already had numerous supplementaries, and there are many questions on the Order Paper.