§ 32. Sir ARTHUR SHIRLEY BENNasked the Minister of Transport whether he will invite the London Midland and Scottish and the London and North 350 Eastern Railway Companies to initiate a joint investigation of their lines in the West Riding, North Derbyshire, and North Nottinghamshire, with a view to early conversion under a similar guarantee to that just promised by the Government in the London transport area?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have been in communication with the two railway companies mentioned, and am informed that as regards the West Riding of Yorkshire a joint examination is being made by them of the possibilities of railway electrification, but as regards Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, it is considered that these areas do not afford scope for any remunerative scheme of this nature. The initiative for submitting schemes for the consideration of His Majesty's Government naturally rests with the undertakings concerned.
§ Mr. CHORLTONDoes the Minister's reply refer also to the South Lancashire area? A fortnight or three weeks ago the Minister answered that question by saying that there was no such scheme going on.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe question on the Paper refers to the West Riding of Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, and North Nottinghamshire.