HC Deb 03 May 1948 vol 450 cc904-5
65. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made in the use of concrete for railway sleepers in order to conserve supplies of timber.

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)

In addition to the original factory at Tallington, arrangements have been made for concrete sleepers to be manufactured at three other factories, two of which are already in operation.

Mr. Hicks

Can my right hon. Friend give me any idea of the proportion of timber used in this country for railway sleepers, that is, the proportion out of the amount of timber that there is in the country?

Mr. Barnes

I could not give the proportion out of the total amount of timber in the country. For main lines alone we require millions of sleepers every year.

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