§ 6. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport what study he has made of the experience in the United States of America of diesel and diesel-electric motive power on railways with a view to deciding the motive power policy to adopt in this country.
§ Mr. MarplesI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which I gave him on 17th March.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIs the Minister aware that that Answer was not satisfactory? Does he agree that in America a committee composed of expert engineering motive power men has conducted a thorough investigation into the matter and decided that electrification is the best mechanical motive power? If that is correct, should not the Minister be considering the same power?
§ Mr. MarplesThese technical matters are primarily for the British Transport 1327 Commission rather than for the Ministry. There are varying views on the best method of traction on the railways. In some cases electrification is good, especially where there is very dense traffic, but if the traffic is light the capital expenditure involved in electrification might very well not be worth while.
§ 7. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport if he will have an investigation made into the motive power which will be the most economical for British Railways.
§ Mr. MarplesNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithIs it correct that in the United States, Western Germany and France they have already conducted an investigation of the kind suggested? In view of that, should not Britain now be having another look at the matter in order that we may run our railways in the most economic manner?
§ Mr. MarplesThe British Transport Commission has taken notice of all the experiments which have been carried out abroad.