§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Minister of Transport what applications for sanction of capital expenditure for the conversion of the existing underground system to rubber traction and its employment on the Victoria line have been made to him by the London Transport Board; and if, in considering such applications, he will take account of the work done on the Paris Metro and the Montreal Subway.
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§ Mr. Tom FraserThe London Transport Board tell me that they have no proposals for the introduction of rubbertyred trains on the Victoria Line or on the existing Underground lines they operate. They have kept a close watch on the development of this system, but they do not consider it would be a practicable one for London in the present circumstances. To accommodate trains of this type on tube lines without reducing the size of the coach bodies it would be necessary to increase the diameter of the tunnels. For the same length of train a larger number of wheels would be necessary to carry the weight of the vehicles, to guide the train and to make allowances for punctures. All the existing lines have open sections, some lengthy, and this would create major problems in conditions of ice and snow. Conversion would involve a major change in the Underground railway system in London and the cost of enlarging the tunnels alone would be enormous.