§ 70. Mr. H. WILLIAMS (for Sir PHILIP DAWSON)asked the Minister of Transport whether since the Third Reading of the London Passenger Transport Bill, he has received any definite undertaking from the London and North Eastern Railway Company that it will proceed with the electrification of its suburban lines round London; if so, what lines it proposes to electrify, when it proposes to start, and how long it will take to complete the work; and whether he has received any similar assurance from the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company that it will extend its suburban electrification?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Lieut. - Colonel Headlam)Both the London and North Eastern Railway Company and the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company have informed my hon. Friend that certain schemes of London surhurban electrification are in an advanced stage of technical preparation and, in the event of the London Transport Bill becoming law, will be ready for immediate submission to the Standing Joint Committee of the Transport Board and the railway companies which the Bill proposes to set up. At my hon. Friend's request consultations are proceeding between the managements and technical officers of the different undertakings concerned with a view to the necessary coordination of their proposals. I must add that both the railway companies have made it clear that in the absence of the contemplated co-ordination of London passenger transport and of the cessation of wasteful competition, they will not be in a position to embark on heavy new expenditure for such purposes.