§ 64. Major Procterasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the slow train service between Manchester, Accrington, and Colne; and whether he will consult with the railway company as to the possibility of electrifying this route?
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Burgin)I am informed by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company that they are introducing improved services on this line in July. The company say that they would not feel justified, in existing circumstances, in incurring the expenditure involved in electrifying this route. I may add that I understand that the whole problem of the transport services in this part of Lancashire is to be the subject of a conference next month between representatives of the local authorities, trading bodies and operators of various forms of internal transport.
§ Major ProcterWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "improved"? Does it mean that they can so accelerate this service that they can give a speed of more than 20 miles an hour for this route?
§ Mr. BurginWhat I mean by improvement is, making it better than the position that exists. I should not like to deal with any particular mileage per hour, without notice. The London Midland and Scottish Railway have said that they propose to introduce an improved service on this section of the line in July next.