READING'S BISCUIT TRAIN

Early day motion 1198, tabled 13 May 2003 by Jane Griffiths (Labour). Signed by 16 members.

That this House notes that for most of the last century Reading was famous for the three B's, beer, bulbs and biscuits, and that Huntley and Palmer made the biscuits which were sold around the world; further notes that the biscuits were taken from the Reading factory to the Great Western main line to make their way around the world in two Bagnall 0-4-4F fireless steam locomotives, Nos. 2473 and 2463, built by W.G. Bagnall and Company at their Castle Engine Works in 1932; notes also that while 2463 was scrapped when biscuits ceased to be carried from the factory by rail in 1970, 2473 was saved and is stored by the West Somerset Railway Company who now require the space it takes up and want others to become responsible for the locomotive; recognises that Reading Borough Council and the people of Reading would like to help preserve this culturally important artefact to become the centrepiece of a redesigned and redeveloped Reading Station; and calls upon the Government to put measures in place to support the preservation of items of Britain's industrial heritage such as the Biscuit Train.

Signatures by party: Labour 13, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.