§ 44. Mr. Thomas Reidasked the Minister of Transport how much steel and other materials he allocates annually for the construction and maintenance of the locomotives on the railways.
§ Mr. BarnesIt is not the practice to give details of allocations for particular purposes.
§ Mr. ReidIs my right hon. Friend supplying iron and steel and other materials necessary to maintain the 400 types of locomotives built in Swindon and other railway works which he took over when the railways were nationalised? Is he continuing all these types?
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir. As the result of nationalisation, these 400 types will be reduced to quite a small number.
§ Mr. HarrisonIf the Minister cannot give details of the allocations of steel, can he say whether there will be any reduction in the allocations for the construction of locomotives next year?
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIn view of the very large number of main-line locomotives which are completely out of action because they require steel parts, will the Minister give the matter his urgent attention, because the railway service is liable to break down if this trouble continues?
§ Mr. BarnesThere are not a great number of locomotives out of action. Since nationalisation there has been a considerable improvement in the figure for locomotives under repair, because of the better use of locomotives for the purpose of hauling stock.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will extend his inquiries to Scotland, where I have received entirely different information.
§ Mr. BarnesI understand that there is great satisfaction in Scotland now that the railways have been nationalised.
§ Mr. David RentonWill the Minister take steps, in consultation with his Cabinet colleagues, to ensure that the price which the railways have to pay for iron and steel does not rise in future?