§ 49. Mr. Ronald Atkinsasked the Minister of Transport what requests he has received from British Railways for the authorisation of the electrification of the Weaver Junction to Motherwell main line; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarmichaelI regret that I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. Monro) on 5th November, last.—[Vol. 772, c. 76.]
§ Mr. AtkinsIs it not wrong that this excellent scheme which, for so little cost, would cheapen the cost of operation and increase the capacity of the line enormously and make it much more efficient, should be delayed any longer?
§ Mr. CarmichaelMany factors have to be examined—for example, the regional industrial effects, including those on Scotland, future technological advances and developments of very high speed trains, and the railway construction industry. This is a very complicated matter and needs detailed discussion and examination, particularly in the present economic situation.
§ Mr. YoungerAs preparations have already been in hand for some time on this, would it not be a waste of money to delay the matter further?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe money involved is very large in amount—so large that I do not think delay could have much effect. Many new techniques are coming forward which might militate against such a scheme or perhaps make another more desirable for this length of line. Where such a large sum of money is at stake, it is better not to make a hasty decision on a complicated issue.