§ 38. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any arrangements have been made with the railway companies for the pooling of railway wagons so as to facilitate the transport of coal and other necessaries; and, if so, if he can state the nature of the arrangements come to?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed by the Railway Executive Committee that arrangements have been made enabling assistance to be given by companies having a surplus of wagons to those experiencing a shortage. It has also been arranged that wagons belonging to one company which have been worked on to the line of another may be loaded back locally in the home direction, instead of being returned empty, and the question of extending this practice to wagons in docks is under consideration.
§ Mr. EUGENE WASONMay I ask whether this arrangement applies to the Scottish railway companies?
Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir, this arrangement, in so far as it has gone, applies to Scotland as well as England.
§ Sir GEORGE YOUNGERIs it intended to extend that a little further and deal with large quantities of private wagons?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe question of private wagons is much more difficult owing to their different shapes, sizes, and conditions, but I am informed by the Railway Executive Committee that no relief would be obtained by pooling private wagons as well as company wagons.
§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will inquire into the statement, which is now common property, that about three miles of railway trucks near Brentford are loaded with coal, and that the merchants refuse to move them because they are waiting for a rise in prices?
Mr. RUNCIMANI have no knowledge of that. I know there are some sidings which are occupied by coal, kept there for naval purposes, and which must of necessity be kept there. If my hon. Friend will give me information about the matter, I will inquire into it.