2. Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a great demand for bricks in Suffolk, and that ample supplies for these requirements are being turned out in the Peterborough district, where, however, they have to be stacked owing to the failure of the Great Eastern Railway to provide rolling stock necessary for their delivery; and whether arrangements can be made for necessary transport facilities to be afforded without delay?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe Great Eastern Railway Company inform me that it is the case that they are not able at present to provide all the wagons that the senders of bricks require, but the company are allotting as many as they can spare to this traffic. Like other railway companies, they are encountering heavy demands for wagons for foodstuffs and forage, and for other urgent requirements, and they have not yet been able to reduce to normal the number of wagons awaiting repair. To help to meet this situation the Government is taking immediate steps to bring into use on British railways the wagons which it acquired for service in France. By this means it is hoped to secure almost. 1367 at once the use of 11,000 additional wagons and that more will become available later.
§ Mr. BILLINGIn this distribution of bricks, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Local Government Board as to respective requirements for building schemes and endeavour to facilitate matters?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThere is the fullest consultation between the Departments.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn connection with the shortage of rolling stock, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is taking any immediate steps to develop the coastal trade again?
§ Sir A. GEDDESYes; very definite steps are being taken with reference to the coastal trade.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYImmediately?
§ Sir A. GEDDESImmediately.