HC Deb 04 May 1937 vol 323 cc978-9
90 and 91. Mr. Leonard

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether any schemes of railway electrification in Scotland are being prepared by the railway companies;

(2) whether in reviewing the transport problems of Glasgow and the surrounding counties, he will consider railway electrification as a part solution of the problem and press upon the railway companies the need for action in this direction?

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

The London Midland and Scottish Railway inform me that they have under continual review the circumstances throughout their line from the point of view of the promotion of electrification schemes wherever this can be justified, but that no such schemes are in preparation so far as Scotland is concerned. The London and North Eastern Railway state that they are not proposing to undertake any electrification schemes in the Glasgow district, as it has not been found possible to devise any such scheme which could be justified on economic grounds.

Mr. Leonard

Has the right hon. Gentleman inquired into the density of the rail traffic in Scotland, and does he not think it would be advisable to press upon the companies to take some action in this direction?