§ 50. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Minister of Transport the progress made by railway companies concerned in their investigation of the question of electrifying the railways of South Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe railway companies concerned have informed me that they are examining the case for electrifying certain lines in the areas referred to, but that their inquiries have not yet reached a stage where a definite decision can be taken.
§ Mr. CHORLTONWhen is a decision likely to be received?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThat question could be more appropriately addressed to the railway companies. I shall always be ready to convey any representations.
§ Mr. PALINGAre these schemes of electrification in addition to the work to be done under the £26,000,000 loan scheme for the railway companies?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThey would be if they were undertaken.
§ Mr. LUNNWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to speed up this electrification in view of the fact that it takes three or four times as long to get from Leeds and Bradford to the West Coast of Lancashire a it does to get to London and the South Coast?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIf the hon. Member has any proposals to make, I shall be glad to lay them before the proper quarters.
§ 51. Sir BROGRAVE BEAUCHAMPasked the Minister of Transport whether he has now any further information to give in respect to the electrification of the Liverpool Street to Chingford suburban line service; and whether such a scheme is likely to be proceeded with at an early date?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have been informed by the London and North Eastern Railway Company that as the programme of improvements in passenger transport facilities in the London area, announced last June, is already very extensive and involves as great a burden of expenditure as can be undertaken at present, it would be impracticable to enlarge the schemes so as to include the electrification of the line between Liverpool Street and Chingford. The company have assured me, however, that the situation will receive further consideration when the developments at present in hand have made further progress and have become self-supporting.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the line referred to the congestion is almost ten times as great as on some of the other lines where the most alterations are being made?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI was not aware of that fact, but the congestion is being relieved by the programme already announced, and I hope that it will be followed by other schemes.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the proposed alterations and new construction do not touch the congestion in any way on the line referred to in the question?