§ 73 and 74. Mr. PETOasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade (l) whether the Canal Control Committee has only control over the independent canals and not those owned by the railway companies; whether the policy of the railway companies to discourage traffic on all canals which they control is to be allowed to persist in view of the need of using all means of transport available in the country to the fullest capacity; seeing that all traffic has ceased on the Kennet and Avon Canal for the past three months, although there is congestion at Avonmouth and goods are waiting there needed by farmers and others throughout the 90 miles traversed by the canal, will he say what action he proposes to take; and (2) whether the railway-owned canals are under the control of the Railway Executive; whether he is aware that the Kennet and Avon Canal has for some months ceased to carry any traffic at all, that, owing to shortage of rolling-stock, farmers in Wiltshire and South Berks have difficulty in obtaining such things as seed corn and oil for tractors, and that the absence of canal transport facilities is 601 having a prejudicial effect upon food production throughout the 90 miles of agricultural country traversed by this canal; and whether he can take any steps to ensure at once the resumption of traffic on the canal and communication direct between Reading and Avonmouth to its full capacity?
Mr. ROBERTSThe Canal Control Committee and the Railway Executive Committee have control respectively over the leading independent canals and the railway-owned canals. Both Committees are fully alive to the importance, in present circumstances, of utilising canal transport to the greatest extent possible, and are working in co-operation to that end. As regards the Kennet and Avon Canal, I understand that the canal is, and has been, available for any traffic which carriers are in a position to bring upon it. The Great Western Railway Company are not themselves carriers on the canal.
§ Mr. PETODoes the hon. Gentleman not think there would be a better chance of utilising to the full the facilities for water transport in this country if we had one authority now, instead of two committees to deal with it; and secondly, in reference to that part of his answer where he said the Kennet and Avon Canal was available for traffic, is he aware that as a matter of fact, although in time of peace it carried a very considerable traffic indeed, the statement in my question is perfectly true and that for three months it has carried none at all?
Mr. ROBERTSI am aware of the importance of water transport, and I think there are indications that the Department are taking steps in order to develop it. In regard to the Kennet and Avon Canal, I understand that the question is one of labour shortage, to remedy which attempts are being made.