§ 1. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Transport what is the British Railways programme for investment in new rolling stock, and passenger carriages, approved by him for the current year, expressed in number of units and by value.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. Albert Murray)The Railways Board estimates that in 1970, within its approved programmes, it will spend £10.7 million on 427 new passenger carriages, and £5.2 million on 1,429 new wagons.
§ Mr. OsbornWould the hon. Gentleman agree that the maintenance of new fast passenger schedules are dependent on high-quality rolling stock for passenger purposes? Is he aware that the London Midland—St. Pancras-Sheffield—region has the worst rolling stock and the worst timetables of any schedule in the country? Would he therefore agree that new air-conditioned stock should be put on this as on other lines?
§ Mr. MurrayThis is a matter for the management of the British Railways Board. I suppose that at one time or another every hon. Member makes these sort of complaints about the rolling stock in his constituency.