Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister of Transport how many British Railways' employees were engaged on track maintenance at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what was the comparable number in each of the previous six years.
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§ Mr. John MorrisThe British Railways Board tell me about 16,900 staff were engaged on track maintenance on British Railways in September, 1967. Comparable figures for each of the six previous years are as follows:
1966 … … … 18,400 1965 … … … 21,300 1964 … … … 23,400 1963 … … … 26,700 1962 … … … 28,400 1961 … … … 30,000 The fall in numbers reflects the reduction in the total mileage of track from 48,889 in 1961 to 38,464 in 1966; the increasing use over the period of continuous welded rail requiring less maintenance; and the introduction in 1965, and subsequent development of, mechanised track maintenance.