§ Mr. Gammansasked the Minister of Transport how many locomotives on British Railways were scheduled for conversion from coal to oil burning prior to 1st January, 1948; how many were actually converted and what is the total 128W estimated cost of work actually done or suspended.
§ Mr. BarnesThe original programme was for the conversion of 1,229 locomotives and the provision of the necessary equipment and storage depots. By the end of 1947 the storage installations were approaching completion but, owing to changes in the relative coal and oil situations, the conversion of engines was halted after 93 had been dealt with. The cost incurred on the whole scheme is about £3 million. No further engines are being converted at present.