§ 69. Mr. EDEasked the Minister of Transport how many miles of railway track have been electrified on each of the four main railway systems of the country; and what percentage these are in each case to the total mileage of the system?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONAt 31st December, 1928, the latest date for which complete information is available, the running track miles electrified on the systems of the amalgamated railway companies and their percentage of the total mileage of running track in each case, were as follow:
Southern Railway, 678 miles, equivalent to 16.3 per cent. of the total;
London, Midland and Scottish Railway, 219 miles, equivalent to 1.6 per cent.; and
London and North Eastern Railway, 120 miles, equivalent to 1.0 per cent.
The only portion of the Great Western Railway Company's system which has been electrified consists of a few short lengths of line in the neighbourhood of London in which that company have a joint interest.
§ Mr. EDEWill the hon. Gentleman bring the attention of the other three railway companies to the good example of the Southern and urge them to act up to it?
§ Mr. MORRISONWhere the case for electrification is clear, which is usually on suburban lines, we have brought, and shall continue to bring, suitable pressure to bear, but the problem of main line electrification ought not to be prejudged.