§ 11. Mr. CHARLES EDWARDSasked the Minister of Transport which railway companies used oil for running their locomotives during the general strike and the coal dispute of 1926; for how many engines was oil so used; and for how many engines they are continuing to use it at the present time?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI understand that the number of locomotives which were equipped for oil burning by each of the amalgamated railway companies during the general strike and the coal dispute of 1926 were:
672 All these locomotives have been re-converted to coal burning, with the exception of four which are still in use on the London and North Eastern Railway.
London, Midland and Scottish … 200 London and North Eastern … 50 Great Western … None Southern … 12
§ Mr. HARDIECould the Minister of Transport give the difference of cost between using coal at £1 a ten and oil at £2 7s. 6d. a ton, and the extra cost incurred in order to defeat the miners?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am afraid I could not do that rule-of-three without notice.
§ Sir J. NALLIs it not a fact that all these locomotives were originally designed for coal fuel, and are not really suited for oil?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIt is quite true that they were all designed originally for coat fuel.