§ 47. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the congestion of timber at the port of Hull owing to sufficient railway wagons not being available to transport it; whether he is aware that this is causing delays in shipping and also shortage of timber and high prices in the country; and whether, in case it is impossible to detail more wagons for this work, steps can be taken to use road, coastal, and canal traffic to relieve this congestion and distribute the timber?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked to reply to this question. My attention was recently called to this matter, and I understand that, as far as the congestion of timber traffic at Hull is due to an insufficient supply of railway wagons, such steps as are possible are being taken by the railway companies to meet the requirements of the trade, due regard being paid to the present heavy demands for wagons at Hull for foodstuffs and perishables and other urgent traffic. Arrangements are also being made for the increased use of water transport in cases such as that referred to.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWould the use of motor transport be possible? Has it been considered by the Department?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANYes; it has been considered.
§ Mr. REMERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the same difficulty is to be found in all the ports throughout the Kingdom?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe matter is receiving the most careful consideration of my right hon. Friend. Cases do, of course, occur all over the country.