HC Deb 18 March 1986 vol 94 c160W
Mr. Chope

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has given to the request by British Rail for authority to order new rolling stock for use on the Waterloo-Southampton-Bournemouth railway line.

Mr. David Mitchell

I approved, on 28 January, British Rail's proposal to electrify the Bournemouth-Weymouth line and provide new rolling stock for Waterloo-Southampton-Bournemouth-Weymouth services. 121 new air-conditioned electric multiple unit vehicles are to be built, costing some £28.5 million. The first of these is due in service in 1987.