§ 25. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed at a public meeting at Devizes on Thursday, the 12th April, urging the Government to take immediate steps to utilise the Kennett and Avon Canal to its fullest 2215 capacity for the conveyance of heavy goods, agricultural produce, and food stuffs between Bristol and London; whether he is aware that all traffic on the canal has been suspended through want of labour and railway facilities at Avon-mouth during the present year; and what steps it is proposed to take to enable the canal to be utilised to its fullest capacity consistent with its present condition?
Mr. ROBERTSThe Canal Control Committee have under consideration the question of the utilisation of the Kermett and Avon Canal to better advantage, and I will in due course communicate with the hon. Member in the matter.
§ Mr. PETOIs the hon. Gentleman aware that he told me the Canal Committee had nothing to do with this canal, as it was a railway canal, and therefore will he confirm the statement that this Committee, which he previously said had nothing to do with railway canals, is now investigating the question?