§ 50. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the congestion of goods traffic on the railway system of this country and to the facilities offered by the canal system of the country for the transport of heavy goods, he will recommend the various Departments of Government concerned with the transport of war and other stores to utilise the canals to their fullest capacity?
Sir A. STANLEYThe Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The various Departments of the Government concerned with the transport of war and other stores are fully aware of the desirability of utilising the canals to their fullest capacity, and they are arranging for the transport of any commodities that can suitably be conveyed by canal so as to relieve the railways. Representatives of the War Office and of the Ministry of Munitions sit on the Canal Control Committee.
§ Colonel YATECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether all these boats now existing on the canals have been manned?