§ 35 and 36. Mr. LARDNERasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the fact that inconvenience is still experienced by traders in the counties of Monaghan, Armagh, and Cavan owing to the shortage of wagons he will give direction to ensure the regular supply of wagons for the transporting of merchandise at the places where they are mostly required: and (2) whether any decision has yet been arrived at by the Executive Committee of Railways in Ireland as to the pooling of wagons in Ireland on the same system as is carried on in England; and, if so, will he state the result of their deliberations?
Mr. ROBERTSI cannot at present say more than that, as I informed the hon. Gentleman on 14th March, the Board of Trade are in communication with the Irish Railway Executive Committee as regards the steps that can be taken to meet the difficulties that have arisen in connection with the supply of waggons. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate the fact that the question is not an easy one.
§ Mr. LARDNERIs it a fact that this question has never yet been discussed by the Executive Committee of Irish Railways?
§ Mr. LARDNERWill the hon. Gentleman see that the matter is brought before them immediately?
Mr. ROBERTSI understand the matter is under consideration. I can only give the information conveyed to me.
§ Mr. FIELDIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that a most serious dislocation of trade is caused by the delay-in considering this question, and will he take steps to have it immediately brought under the notice of the Executive?