§ 11 and 12. Mr. ANNAN BRYCEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what railway companies have so far pooled their wagons; what has been the result in diminishing congestion of transport; and whether he is taking further steps in the direction of further pooling; and (2) whether his attention has been called to a memorandum, dated 24th May, from the Traders' Traffic Association, regarding the shortage of railway wagons; and whether, in the absence of a complete system of wagon pooling, he is prepared to take steps, and, if so, what, to meet the difficulty?
Mr. RUNCIMANArrangements for the pooling of their wagons have been brought into operation between the Great Central, Great Eastern, and Great Northern Railway Companies, and also between the Great Western, Lancashire and Yorkshire, London and North-Western, Midland, and North-Eastern Companies. I understand that in both cases the result has been satisfactory. I am informed that similar arrangements will shortly be in force between the Caledonian, Glasgow and South-Western, and North British Companies. I have not yet seen the Memorandum referred to by my hon. Friend, but any specific cases of difficulty which may be brought to my notice will receive careful consideration.
§ Sir W. ESSEXIs the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to pool the whole of the wagons in the United Kingdom, under one committee or authority?
Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir; after looking very carefully into the subject I came to the conclusion that there would be no saving or increased efficiency by pooling privately-owned wagons