§ 20. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the numbers of main-line locomotives used on the Nigerian State Railways; how many are over 10 years old; how many awaiting repair; and how many awaiting writing off.
§ Mr. LytteltonOne hundred and ninety, on 27th June, of which 80 were over 10 years old. Twenty-nine were under repair in workshops: 41 were awaiting repairs: nine were awaiting write off.
§ Mr. JohnsonWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that too many old locomotives are spending a long time in the 1227 shops at Ebute-Metta and that the chief cause of this is lack of spare parts? Will he do something about it?
§ Mr. LytteltonThe situation of the Nigerian Railways which we inherited was extremely bad and it was difficult to put it right in a hurry, but we have done everything we can both to speed up the delivery of new locomotives and to increase the stock of spare parts.
§ Mr. TilneyCould not the Nigerian Railways temporarily employ more expatriate technicians?
§ Mr. LytteltonThat is another question. There again, particularly in the workshops, there is great room for improvement and we have tried to bring it about on the lines on which my hon. Friend speaks.
§ Mr. RankinWould it not help the state of affairs in Nigeria if the right hon. Gentleman transferred General Templer from Malaya to Nigeria?