84. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is still the general practice for goods wagons belonging to one railway company which have been sent on to lines belonging to another railway company to be returned empty even though they might have been utilised for goods awaiting transit; and whether he will take steps to put an end to the great waste of time, labour, and material which is involved in this practice?
§ Mr. PRETYMANI understand that some time ago the railway companies entered into an arrangement between themselves under which goods wagons belonging to one company which have been sent on to the lines of another company are, if there is sufficient traffic, loaded back in the direction of the owning company.
Mr. HARVEYIs not that too often a paper arrangement, and does not the old practice still continue? Will my hon. Friend look into the matter?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe facts are as I have stated them. I cannot exactly describe what is done in every case.