HC Deb 30 November 1976 vol 921 cc79-80W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what requests he has received, or what investigations he has made, into the capital cost of extending the Great Northern electrification scheme from Moorgate, for approximately one and a half miles in new tunnels, to the south-eastern section of the Southern Region at Bricklayers Arms, with or without any new intermediate station.

Mr. William Rodgers

None.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what requests or submissions he has received from the British Railways Board, with its requests concerning the Moorgate-Bedford electrification, for electrification of existing rail routes in north London running between the presently distinct Great Eastern, Great Northern, North-Western, and planned Midland electrified routes, particularly between Kentish Town and Barking, and the five miles between Maiden Lane and Stratford.

Mr. William Rodgers

None.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration has been given to diverting the proposed southern terminal of the Moorgate to Bedford electrification scheme from Moorgate (widened lines) to a terminal on Southern Region in south London, using the existing Snow Hill route and dual voltage stock.

Mr. William Rodgers

The London rail study considered the possibility of through-running between north and south London. It concluded that such a project could only be recommended as a second order priority.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the calculations used by his Department, or any other, concerning the cost-benefit analysis of the Moorgate to Bedford electrification, and comparison with cost-benefit conclusions for investing similar sums in other electrification or improvement schemes in the Greater London area.

Mr. William Rodgers

No; my Department's rôle is to examine the investment appraisal made by the British Railways Board.