§ 29. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the present condition of underground railway systems in and around Glasgow, he can bring any pressure upon the railway companies concerned to have these systems electrified so as to bring them up to modern requirements, and thus provide useful work for thousands of unemployed skilled and unskilled workers?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI have brought this matter to the notice of the railway companies concerned and I am informed by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company that the question of the electrification of the Glasgow Underground Railway systems has received consideration, but that there is no prospect of securing such additional traffic at the present time as would justify the large expenditure involved. The company add that the matter will, however, be kept under notice and reviewed from time to time in the light of changing circumstances.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODSeeing that this scheme would employ a great number of skilled and unskilled workers in and around Glasgow, would the hon. Gentlemen's Department be prepared to assist this work, financially?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI should like to see the railway company about that in the first instance.
§ Mr. W. THORNEis the hon. Gentleman aware that the same railway company has had powers to deal with another railway in London and that they have never moved a peg yet?
§ Mr. HARDIEIn view of the hon. Gentleman's statement that the traffic does not justify the expenditure, may I ask whether the company are aware from the evidence already taken that the electri- 198 fication of the railway would bring all the traffic necessary to pay for the expenditure?