§ 42. Mr. CHORLTONasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the favourable arrangements made with regard to railway electrification in the London district, he will convey to the railway companies concerned in South Lancashire his willingness to consider a combined scheme of electrification for that district to extend those already existing?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe Government have already indicated their willingness to consider any useful schemes of this kind which may be put before them, but cannot give promises as to what they will be prepared to do in regard to schemes which have not yet been formulated. The initiative must rest with the undertakings concerned. As regards the particular area to which my hon. Friend refers, I have already been in communication with the companies and understand that a joint examination of the possibilities of electrification is being made by them.
§ Mr. CHORLTONWill my right hon. Friend do his utmost to accelerate the consideration of plans for this area, in view of its importance and the employment it would give?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI cannot speed up plans before they have been devised by the railway companies and submitted to me.
§ 45. Mr. CLEARYasked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to consider the granting of financial assistance for the electrification of the Wirral railway system?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe Government have already intimated their willingness to consider any useful schemes of this kind which may be put before them, but the initiative must necessarily rest with the undertakings concerned.