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641.  GENERAL MATTERS OF POLICY   (Cont'd)

1.  Programme of Diesel Multiple Unit Operation  (Contd.)

The provision of diesel maintenance depots was similarly being delayed and Accrington was quoted as an example of a scheme which had been prepared and had to be withdrawn just prior to submission to the Area Board.

Various methods of overcoming the difficulty were discussed and it was agreed that a report be prepared for submission to the General Manager and, if necessary, the Area Board, recommending that, as an emergency measure, the vehicles be utilsed on any services for which they may be suitable as a straight substitution for steam operation, irrespective of whether such steam services had already been earmarked for diesel operation, and indication to be given of the areas in which it was proposed the diesel multiple units should be utilised.

The report to include reference to the cuts in the budget, the Commission's review of diesel multiple unit services, and the fact that a marginal stage in the introduction of diesel multiple units had now been reached, which, together, were affecting the whole of the plan of diesel multiple unit operation in the Region, and to seek authority for the introduction of vehicle in substitution for steam operation until such time as the appropriate submissions could be made for diesel schemes visualised.  Also, the report to include reference to the necessity for maintenance and fuelling facilities for future diesel schemes and seek authority for such facilities to be provided in anticipated of the schemes being authorised when the complete submissions were made.

It was agreed that a draft report be prepared by Messrs.R.Varley, W.O.Reynolds, L.D.Taylor and R.L.M'Ilmoyle, and be submitted to the Chairman by Friday, January 23rd, 1959.  The Chairman would then take special steps to obtain the agreement of the members of the Committee.-