§ 77. Mr. LEONARD LYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the serious effect on manufacturers in East London owing to the railway companies' inability to supply wagons; and what is the reason for the inability of the Great Western Railway Company to handle goods traffic at the present time?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am fully aware of the effect on manufacturers of the shortage of railway wagons, and can assure my hon. Friend that such steps as are possible are being taken to meet the present difficult situation. I am afraid I do not quite understand the last sentence of the question. The Great Western Railway Company are suffering from the same disability as other companies, but they are not directly concerned with East London traffic.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that a good percentage of those men from the railway service are being retained in the Army, and will he make representations to the Secretary of State for War so that they may be released, and thus remove the congestion by getting the necessary material?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThis is a question of wagons.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that railway men make the wagons in their own shops, and they are now in the Army?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am quite aware of that.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSWhat steps are being taken to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI think it would be better if the hon. Gentleman would allow me to explain to him in conversation.