§ MR. HUDSON (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the difficulties of discharging coal from the steamers at the Woolwich Arsenal pier; whether it is the intention of his Department to adopt new machinery and methods at this pier in the near future; and whether, in the meantime, demurrage charges will be reduced or abolished until the work of improvement is completed.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) HaddingtonAttention has been drawn to this matter, 914 and the Question is receiving consideration. There is no intention of reducing or abolishing the charges for demurrage, which during the last few years have been inappreciable.