HC Deb 28 January 1947 vol 432 cc150-1W
79. Mr. Assheton

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement with regard to the export of locomotives, in view of the grave shortage of locomotives in this country and the serious effect of this on our transport system.

Mr. Belcher

The locomotive industry is making every effort to meet the requirements of the home railways, and arrangements are being made for the industry to provide many more locomotives for the home railways in 1947 than in 1946. Additionally, it is making an important contribution to the export trade, thereby not only meeting overseas demands essential to the maintenance of our imports of food and raw materials, but also maintaining a firm basis for export trade in the future.