Locomotives and Wagons

HC Deb 21 February 1945 vol 408 cc769-70

49. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the Minister of Production what arrangements have been made to allocate production facilities for the increased manufacture of locomotives and railway wagons for dispatch to France in order to alleviate the transport difficulties and shortage of food supplies in that country.

The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)

As a result of plans laid over two years ago, the capacity available to the Allies for the production of locomotives has been fully taken up with meeting war requirements, and will so continue for some time. It is hoped that, in the latter part of this year, a considerable number of locomotives will become available for France from United States production. Meanwhile, the strain on the French railways should be lessened, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of State told the House on 14th February, by the further number of locomotives which we are sending to the Continent for the use of S.H.A.E.F. The construction of wagons in this country is being expanded to the fullest extent made possible by the available labour and materials, and it is expected that some wagons will become available for France in the near future. In addition, it is hoped that wagons will be produced for France in the United States and Canada, while wagons are already being sent from the United States for the use of S.H.A.E.F. We are also sending materials, components and tools to enable more repairs to engines and rolling stock to be executed in French workshops.

Mr. Granville

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he has consulted the Anglo-American and Canadian Production Boards to, see whether a greater allocation of labour, man-power and materials can be given to this vital question, and, by this means, enable France to get more food?

Mr. Lyttelton

Yes, Sir. Allocation of rolling stock and locomotives has been the subject of combined plans for two years, and I think all capacity is being fully utilised.

Mr. Vernon Bartlett

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that allocation of locomotives for the use of S.H.A.E.F. is not, in itself, sufficient, inasmuch that the great proportion of the very few locomotives which the French have got has been taken over by S.H.A.E.F.?

Mr. Lyttelton

That is, of course, so, but it brings indirect relief.