HC Deb 08 December 1943 vol 395 cc956-7
32. Mr. Jewson

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will take steps to secure the better maintenance of railway engines with a view to preventing the loss of time now arising from the constant failure of trains to run to schedule?

Mr. Noel-Baker

My hon. Friend will, I am sure, recognise that, since the war began, the railways have only been enabled to build a strictly limited number of new locomotives for replacement purposes; that they have only limited staffs available for repairs; and that they are carrying a greatly increased traffic. In spite of these difficulties, they have done everything in their power to maintain their locomotives in an efficient condition.

Mr. E. Walkden

Is my hon. Friend aware that most of the railway termini and marshalling yards are cluttered up with goods and wagons, due to the allegations and suggestions contained in the Question, and that engineers are anxious to do more to railway engines but the Minister of War Transport will not respond?

Mr. Noel-Baker

It has nothing to do with policy. It is a question of labour. If we can get more labour for the repair of locomotives, they will be repaired more quickly.

Mr. Walkden

Are you not using labour for the wrong purpose?