§ 73. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken to improve traffic operations on the four main line railways, with particular reference to mineral and merchandise traffic.
§ Mr. CallaghanRailway freight traffic is about 20 per cent. higher than in 1938, but the number of wagons available is about 15 per cent. less. Measures have been taken to speed up the repair of wagons, and the number repaired each week is now more than double the prewar level. A substantial programme for building new wagons is in hand. Special steps are also being taken to secure quicker turn-round. By the end of this month 700 Austerity locomotives will have been brought back from the Continent. Priority has been given to building new freight locomotives. Additional billeting accommodation for railwaymen is being made available in London. These measures together will, I am confident, considerably improve the performance of the railways, which is already good.