HC Deb 25 January 1961 vol 633 cc165-7
48. Mr. Collick

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now made his decision about the Euston to Crewe electrification scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hay

I have nothing at present to add to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) on 14th December last. My right hon. Friend expects, however, to be able to announce a decision shortly.

Mr. Collick

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary realise that this is a shocking reply? The announcement by the Minister to hold up this scheme was made long before the House rose for the Christmas Recess. Surely there has been ample time to make a decision in this matter?

Mr. Hay

No time has been lost by my right hon. Friend or his colleagues in considering this matter. As I said, he hopes to be able to announce a decision shortly, and perhaps the hon. Gentleman will await that.

Mr. Collick

How long is "shortly"?

Mr. Popplewell

Will the Parliamentary Secretary assure the House that, as far as he is concerned, he is going to press forward in this matter? Is he aware that according to the evidence given to the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries, if the scheme is not proceeded with the British Transport Commission will have to spend £75 million on repairs to existing arrangements which are not nearly so efficient as a modernisation scheme would be?

Mr. Hay

The hon. Gentleman had better await the announcement which my right hon. Friend intends to make.

Mr. Strauss

Is this another example of a most desirable scheme being held up by the Treasury? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the damage done to the electrical industry by the hold-up of orders? Is this another example of the way in which the Government have been dithering about and damaging the railways' prospects?

Mr. Hay

No, Sir. I entirely repudiate that suggestion. That is quite untrue. We have not been dithering at all. We have asked for detailed information about the scheme and we have obtained it from the British Transport Commission. Our officials and theirs have entered into lengthy discussions to obtain the full information that we wanted. We are now in a position where, I think, we shall shortly be able to announce a decision. There has been no dilatoriness on the part of the Government.

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