§ 49. Mr. HANNONasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to inform the House of the progress which is being made with schemes for the electrification of railways following upon the negotiations which have been in process between him and the chairmen and general managers of railway companies?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Gosling)I have been asked to answer this question. As the hon. Member is aware, various schemes of railway elec- 2256 trification are now in progress. I am not, however, in a position to announce that any extensive new schemes have been decided upon by the companies recently.
§ Mr. HANNONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Prime Minister himself has said again and again that these schemes of electrification would be the first consideration of a Labour Government; and what steps are being taken to secure that the railway companies shall adopt a satisfactory scheme of electrification?
§ Colonel ASHLEYHas the hon. Gentleman been in communication with the directors of the railway companies in order to press the urgency of this question upon them?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI have asked the railway companies to do all they can, but I have no power in the matter.
§ Mr. HANNONI beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the first available opportunity on the Motion for the Adjournment.