HC Deb 12 July 1988 vol 137 c141W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will discuss with British Rail the case for bringing forward investment proposals for the electrification of(a) the Midland main line beyond Bedford, (b) the line from Manchester to Preston and Blackpool and (c) the line from Leeds to the freight liner depot at Stourton; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

No. It is for the British Railways Board, as manager of the railways, to identify and put forward sound investment proposals. It would be quite wrong for the Government to ask it to put forward schemes which it believes to be uneconomic.