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Railways (Electrification)

Volume 25: debated on Wednesday 16 June 1982

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17.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the Government's response to the report of the Select Committee on Transport relating to main line railway electrification.

Will there be a positive response to the case for more railway electrification? Will the Minister recognise—perhaps more than did the Select Committee did—that the East Coast main line is a single unit? The experience of the Penmanshiel tunnel closure showed that a great deal of traffic does not want to transfer from the East Coast main line, which ought to be by one method of traction right through from Edinburgh to London.

We are considering the board's proposals for electrification of the East Coast main line to Leeds arid Newcastle, and we shall reach a decision as soon as possible.

Can my hon. Friend confirm that any additional electrification is crucially dependent upon reduced manning levels and the abandonment of nineteenth century work practices?

My hon. Friend is correct to emphasise the vital importance of productivity. The broad struggle for more modern and efficient working practises is central to the future of the railways and must be fully supported by all those who have the best interests of a good and efficient railway industry at heart.

Does the Minister accept that, initially, investments are urgently needed to catch up on the backlog of renewals and repairs to British Rail's main line network, because there would be no sense in electrifying a worn-out railway system? Furthermore, does he recognise that his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said that part of this year's PSO would be earmarked for such renewals? Will the Minister indicate the amount of that sum? What basis has been calculated to be adequate to bring about those renewals which are now desperately needed in the main line network?

I know that the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that direct support from central and local government to British Rail is at its highest level ever. He will also appreciate the importance of our earmarking proposal, which we are pursuing. The actual amount has not yet been decided, but I very much recognise its importance to the renewal of track—the item that the right hon. Gentleman mentioned.