HC Deb 25 February 1918 vol 103 cc1075-6
3. Colonel YATE

asked the President of the Board of Trade, considering the danger that might accrue owing to any interruption to the sea-borne traffic with the Port of London, if he will say what steps are being taken to develop the canal traffic between the Ports of Bristol and Liverpool on the West Coast and London on the East?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Wardle)

The points raised by the hon. and gallant Gentleman have for some time been before the Canal Control Committee, and have recently been specially considered. I am advised that the particular routes to which he refers are not under present conditions, and in view of the great shortage of labour on canals, capable of any great development of through traffic to London, but some traffic has been conveyed.

Colonel YATE

Considering the congestion on the railways and the impossibility of feeding London by railways alone, if seaborne traffic should be cut off, should not everything possible be done to make these canals available at an early date?

Mr. WARDLE

Everything possible is being done.

Mr. PEMBERTON BILLING

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of calling the attention of the Minister of National Service to this matter, in order to let him have some of the 100,000 Russians here to help him to clear the canals?

Mr. WARDLE

I do not know whether that kind of labour would be of any service.