§ 11. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that plans for the electrification of railways in the Glasgow and West of Scotland area have been prepared by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company for some years; why these schemes are held up; and what action the Government intend to take to enable the London and North Eastern Railway Company and the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company to proceed with electrification schemes in Scotland?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Oliver Stanley)The London Midland and Scottish Railway Company have informed me that some time ago they examined the question of electrifying their suburban lines near Glasgow, but, from the figures taken out, it was evident that the electrification of these lines could not be justified on commercial grounds, and that there is no evidence that the circumstances since that time have im- 1801 proved in favour of electrification. I am informed by the London and North Eastern Railway Company that no plans are in existence for the electrification of any of their lines in Scotland.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODArising out of the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's reply, is which he said that no plans were in hand for the electrification of the railways, may I ask if he is aware that in 1924 I got the Manager of the Glasgow Tramways Department to draw up plans for the electrification of the railways in and around Glasgow, and that those plans are now pigeon-holed in his Department; and what action he is going to take, now that he has information which he said was not in his possession before?
§ Mr. STANLEYThe hon. Member will realise that that was not the answer that I gave. I said that the London and North Eastern Railway Company had no plans in existence, but I said that the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company had examined the question of electrifying their suburban lines near Glasgow, and had come to the conclusion, on the figures, that it was not commercially justifiable.