HC Deb 18 June 1936 vol 313 cc1185-6W
Mr. JENKINS

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the total value of the orders placed in the Special Area of South Wales and Monmouthshire in connection with the railway development scheme?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question on the 20th February last, the railway companies are seeking in their Bills of this Session the necessary powers to enable them to implement the agreement made last year, but I have now ascertained that orders have already been placed in the Special Area of South Wales and Monmouthshire to the amount of £26,000, including orders placed with sub-contractors. Orders to the value of £24,000 have also been placed by sub-contractors in places contiguous to the Special Area referred to.

Mr. LYONS

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will state the places on the London Midland and Scottish Railway where reconstruction was made a condition of the financial arrangements of 1935, and the places where such work has commenced;

(2) the places on the London and North Eastern Railway at which reconstruction was made a condition of the financial arrangements made in 1935, and the places where such work has commenced?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

As regards the first part of each question I would refer my hon. Friend to the First Schedule to the Railways (Agreement) Act, 1935, and also, so far as the London and North Eastern Railway is concerned, to the First Schedule to the London Passenger Transport (Agreement) Act, 1935. As regards the second part of each question, arrangements have been made for periodical returns to be furnished by the companies of work begun and labour employed on these schemes as soon as the Parliamentary powers which are necessary for many of them have been obtained under the Bills now before Parliament.