UP TO 20,000 jobs in the railway manufacturing industry could be under

threat over the next few years unless the Government steps in to ensure

there are further orders, Labour MP Brian Wilson claimed yesterday.

He told the Commons in a short debate before the Christmas recess that

the Railway Industry Association had estimated 5000 job losses this

year, with more to come.

Mr Wilson, MP for Cunninghame North, said: ''We are not talking about

a hypothetical threat. This is a rapidly unfolding, utterly unnecessary

tragedy created solely by the Government's policies towards the

railways. It is incredible that they are prepared to stand idly by and

see another industry in which Britain used to lead the world

disintegrate.''

He told the House: ''Unless Ministers intervene to cut through the

bureaucracy of rail fragmentation and privatisation, there will be no

orders -- that is the stark reality. Only the Government has the powers

to break the deadlock and so far it has indicated a shocking refusal to

do so.''

For the Government, junior Trade and Industry Minister Charles Wardle

defended both the strength of Britain's manufacturing base and the

amount of investment in the railways. He said this had been at record

levels in recent years, with #1.5 bn spent in 1992-93, the highest in

real terms since 1961.

A total of #4bn had been spent on rolling stock since 1979, with 4000

new vehicles being brought into service since 1979. It was expected that

the railway industry would be able to invest #1bn next year.

''The Government has done a great deal for the railway equipment

industry,'' he said. ''Privatisation offers the best long-term future,

coupled to the Government's general support for manufacturing

industry.''