asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether C.I.E. have arranged to import, or are proposing to import, from the United Kingdom completely assembled goods wagons and passenger coaches and also partly assembled parts for wagons and coaches; and, if so, if he will indicate the numbers or quantities involved and the dates on which the relevant decisions were made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - C.I.E. Wagons and Coaches.
I am informed by the Board of C.I.E. that they have not placed any order, nor are they contemplating the placing of any order, for the supply of completely assembled goods wagons or passenger coaches. I understand that contracts for 60 fully assembled diesel rail cars (which, in the strict sense, are not classified as passenger coaches) were placed in Britain in 1950-51 and that a balance of four remains to be delivered.
I am informed by the board that certain partly assembled wagon and coach parts were ordered from Britain as follows:—
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Date on which purchase was authorised by Board of C.I.E. |
Present delivery position |
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PARTLY-ASSEMBLED GOODS WAGON PARTS: |
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1,000 sets of wagon underframes, running gear and iron work |
24/1/1952 |
710 sets delivered. |
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200 welded steel members for completion as underframes |
2/12/1953 |
None delivered. |
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PARTLY-ASSEMBLED PASSENGER COACH PARTS: |
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49 sets of coach body parts, and I proto type coach body partly assembled |
1/1/1952 |
Prototype body and 19 sets delivered. |
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100 passenger carriage underframes |
7/2/1952 |
69 delivered. |
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200 bolsters for passenger carriage bogies |
11/6/1953 |
159 delivered. |
I understand from the board that there are many items, not included in the statement, which are normally imported in an assembled or partly assembled condition for use in the construction of railway rolling stock, and which have never been manufactured in this country.
Will the Minister have it conveyed to the Board of C.I.E. that wherever possible rolling stock or component parts for rolling stock should be manufactured here rather than imported?
That would be my view and, in the course of discussions which I propose to have with the board, that point of view will be emphasised.
Mr. Lemass
It is a thing which they have heard frequently expressed.
Implementation of the view, I think, would be helpful.