§ 42. Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether it is the intention of the Government to further consider the grouping of the railways with a view to abolishing some of the anomalies which still exist, namely, the running of branch lines in between and sometimes over the lines of the larger groups; whether he will call a conference of the five groups with a view to exchanging such branches so as to make more workable and complete the grouping already arranged; whether he is aware that the Sirhowy Branch of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, in Monmouthshire, occupies such anomalous position; and will he take steps to rectify these matters?
§ Colonel ASHLEYUnder Section 18 of the Railways Act, 1921, the Minister of Transport may confirm agreements for the purchase, lease or working by one railway company of any part of the 216 system of another railway company. It is for the railway companies to consider, after the grouping required by the Act has been carried out, and sufficient experience has been gained of its working, whether, in view of the position to which the hon. Member refers, they should put forward proposals under this section.
§ Mr. EDWARDSIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that some of these groups are depending on the Ministry of Transport to call them together to discuss these matters—I had that from one of the groups last week—and will he do that as long as it is the desire of some of these groups?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI may say that it is a new aspect of the question to me. I rather thought that it would coma from the companies, but, in view of what the hon. Member has said, without making any promise, I will go into the matter.
§ Lieut.-Colonel NALLDo not some of these instances affect very important industrial parts of the country, and, in view of the fact that they are the only remaining means of competition existing between the companies, should they not be preserved?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI will consider all these points.