§ 23. Mr. WADDINGTONasked the Minister of Transport if he will provide as early as possible a goods train service for perishable foodstuffs to all the principal towns in Great Britain from producing and distributing centres, such trains to be run to scheduled advertised times in like manner to passenger trains and at such hours as will allow the produce to be deivered and sold in the various markets in a fresh condition, and thus avoid the wastage of the people's food that is and has been caused by railway delays and inefficiency?
§ 24. Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Transport whether he intends to commence running advertised schedule trains for perishable foodstuffs, such as express goods trains with fitted stocks; and if so, when?
32. Sir J. D. REESasked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange to provide without delay a goods train service for perishable foodstuffs to all the principal towns in Great Britain from producing and distributing centres, such trains to be ran to scheduled advertised times in like manner, so far as may be, with that of passenger trains, and at such hours as will allow the produce to be delivered and sold in the various markets in a perfectly fresh condition so as to avoid wastage of food inevitably resulting from delays?
§ 35. Mr. A. SHORTasked the Minister of Transport whether he has received resolutions from the National Federation of Fruit and Potato Trades' Associations requesting him to provide without delay a goods train service for perishable foodstuffs to all the principal towns in Great Britain from producing and distributing centres, such trains to be run to scheduled advertised times in like manner to passenger trains, and at such hours as will allow the produce to be delivered and sold in the various markets in a perfectly fresh condition, and thus avoid 15 the high wastage of the people's food that is and has been caused by railway delays and inefficiency, and expressing the opinion that if it is found necessary to increase rates or charges under the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, regard should be had to those that are at present excessive as compared with others, and no preference should be given to foreign produce of any kind; and whether he is giving this matter his consideration?
§ 36. Mr. CASEYasked the Minister of Transport whether he will favourably consider the advisability of providing a goods train service for perishable foodstuffs to all the principal towns in Great Britain from producing and distributing centres, such trains to be run at scheduled advertnsed times in like manner to passenger trains, and at such hours as will allow the produce to be delivered and sold in the various markets in a fresh condition, and thus avoid the huge wastage of the people's food, that is and has been caused by railway delays?
§ Sir E. GEDDESGoods trains for perishable foodstuffs are run at scheduled times to the principal towns from producing and distributing centres in accordance with the flow of traffic. Additional trains are run when necessary if rail facilities are available. Fish trains are composed of fitted stock, but the supply of this stock is insufficient for freight traffic. It must be realised that if services corresponding to passenger train service are provided the cost would be also increased.
Only one instance of alleged wastage of food owing to railway delays has been brought to my notice, and this is being investigated. As regards the last part of the question asked by the hon. Member for Wednesbury, when the systematic revision of railway rates and charges is undertaken the basis of all existing rates will be reviewed in the light of all relevant considerations.
§ 29. Major GLYNasked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of inaugurating a time-tabled service of fast and extra fast goods trains for perishable and urgent goods other than fish and milk traffic; whether he is aware of the delay suffered by individuals who now consign their baggage by goods train and the high cost and impolitic policy of consigning urgent goods and baggage by passenger train; whether he is aware that 16 railway companies are unable to undertake the delivery of articles consigned by any means of transit even within a five-mile area of a station; and whether, since all the above facilities are available to travellers and shippers on the Continent, there is any prospect of providing a more efficient service?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI have already dealt with the first part of this question. A certain amount of unavoidable delay occurs in goods train service under present conditions. If a sender wishes to take advantage of the more expeditions and costly passenger train service within the limits allowed he must naturally expect to pay more. I am not aware of any alteration in the conditions governing the delivery of articles except in respect of parcels conveyed by passenger train. This was dealt with in my answer to the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Betterton) on the 17th November, and I cannot agree that better facilities are available on the Continent.