HC Deb 22 September 1915 vol 74 cc448-9
39. Mr. WATT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience suffered by the mercantile community in Glasgow and other large towns in Scotland in the absence of railway facilities offered them for carrying on their trade; whether he is aware that often as much as two months elapse in carrying goods to and from places in England, and that these delays are in no way traceable to military exigencies; and if so, will he exercise any pressure on the Scottish railway companies to give better service?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I understand that it has been necessary at times to place restrictions on the traffic between England and Scotland in order to avoid congestion, but I have received no complaints of such delays as my hon. Friend alleges. I shall, however, be glad to consider any cases in which it is considered that traffic has been unduly delayed, if he will furnish me with particulars.

Mr. WATT

Would the right hon. Gentleman make sure that the Scottish railway companies are not making military exigencies an excuse for doing what they like with the traffic?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I do not think that is at all likely. It is certainly not in their interest to do so.