§ 32. Mr. G. TERRELLasked the Minister of Transport whether he was aware that considerable delay in the transport of merchandise was owing to the shortage of wagons; whether the shortage of wagons was due in many instances to the refusal of owners to repair wagons and to build new ones until they knew exactly the policy of the Government and the compensation which they were to receive if the wagons were taken over; whether he was aware that the matter was now of great national urgency and importance; and what course he proposed to take regard to the matter?
§ 36. ANEURIN WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention had been called to the serious loss of output and employment at the Consett Steel Works, county Durham, through the fact that the North-Eastern Railway Company had not supplied an adequate number of trucks to convey the finished steel to customers; whether he was aware that, during the four weeks ended 26th November, certain of the mills lost fourteen shifts from the above cause and that they had since been stopped again, with a very serious effect on the prosperity of the district; whether during the War trucks were available for a larger output than the present output of these mills; and whether trucks had been diverted to other traffic; and, if so, why?
§ 39. Captain BAGLEYasked the Minister of Transport whether, and, if so, when he proposed to make a statement in the House on the congestion of goods traffic?
§ 63. Viscount CURZONasked the Minister of Transport how many trucks were required to relieve the traffic congestion on the railways; whether he could give any estimate of the number now under construction and under repair; whether the facilities for new construction were being utilised to the fullest extent, and what causes, if any, were operating to retard new construction; whether the moulders strike was affecting this question and, if so, to what extent; whether he could give any indication of its effect upon the cost of living; whether a complete declaration of Government policy with regard to the future of the railways could be made; and whether the removal of Government control and the resumption of competition between the various companies would affect the situation, and to what extent?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI am most anxious to take the House fully into my confidence on this matter, and to afford the fullest information. I find it is impossible to do justice to its intricacies in replies to questions, and if it will suit the convenience of Members, I propose meeting those interested in Committee Room 9 at 6 p.m. on Thursday next. I should be personally very grateful if Members with special knowledge could conveniently attend.
Major GRAEMEIs not the proper place to deal with this question on the floor of the House, and not at a private meeting?
§ Sir E. GEDDESWe do not intend to have the meeting in the least private, but open to every Member who wishes to attend. [HON MEMBERS: "And the Press?"] I will invite the Press. I find it quite impossible to deal adequately with this question by question and answer. If Parliamentary time will be afforded for Debate I shall be very glad to take that course, but as an alternative I suggest the meeting upstairs.
§ Sir N. GRIFFITHSIs not the Coal Bill being introduced into the House on that afternoon?
§ Sir E. GEDDESIf that is not a convenient day I shall be delighted to change it.
§ Sir N. GRIFFITHSDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that this matter should be dealt with as quickly as possible, as the present state of transport throughout the country is deplorable?
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill the right hon. Gentleman arrange the meeting for this afternoon?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI cannot arrange it for this afternoon. If Thursday is not convenient, would Friday be more convenient?
§ Mr. TERRELLConsidering the great importance of this matter, would it not be better for the right hon. Gentleman first to issue a statement as to the Government's proposals regarding wagons? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is very difficult for hon. Members to arrive at any conclusion until they have had a definite statement as to what the Government think is desirable to be done?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI shall be very glad to consider that when we meet hon. Members upstairs. I doubt whether a statement of that kind would be as useful as the statement I propose to make verbally upstairs. Perhaps my hon. Friend will await that. I will do anything else I possibly can to meet the situation.