§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether there are any proposals to introduce the railbus type 140 to the branch lines in Devon and on other West Country lines;
(2) when full-scale production of the railbus type 140 will take place.
§ Mr. FowlerI know of my hon. Friend's close interest in this development and I can tell him the Railways Board is still testing the prototype class 140 lightweight diesel multiple unit, but it is not possible to say yet when full-scale production could begin. The board is, of course, responsible for the deployment of rolling stock, but railbus type vehicles are being developed to replace ageing diesel multiple units on rural lines throughout the country. This would doubtless include those such as my hon. Friend has in mind.