HC Deb 29 May 1919 vol 116 cc1405-6
43. Sir J. D. REES

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the serious congestion of traffic between Nottingham and London; why so few wagons are allotted to so important a business centre as the capital of the Eastern Midlands; why the railways only accept ordinary merchandise on two or three days in the week; and whether he will take steps to relieve a situation so disastrous to trade which is attempting to revive after the restrictions of war?

83. Lieut-Colonel LORD HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that great inconvenience is being caused to the traders of Nottingham by the refusal of the railway companies to accept any goods for delivery in London; and whether he will take immediate steps to relieve the congested state of the railways, which is detrimental to the re-establishment of the trade of the country?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am aware that at the present time railway companies are, for various reasons, finding great difficulty in dealing with the amount of traffic being offered for conveyance, in many parts of the country. The Railway Executive Committee are giving the matter special attention, and are taking steps to improve the distribution of the available supply of wagons. I hope that the position will shortly be more satisfactory.

44. Colonel YATE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken, considering the shortage of railway trucks and the inability of the railways to carry the traffic, to increase the carrying powers of the canals and to ease the present congestion by substituting water traffic for railway traffic wherever practicable?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am afraid I can only refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply given on this subject yesterday to the hon. Member for North Salford.

Colonel YATE

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether anything is being done in. this matter?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I will send the hon. and gallant Gentleman the reply, and he will be able to judge whether it is satisfactory or not.

Colonel YATE

That is not satisfactory unless there is something in it.