HC Deb 18 November 1919 vol 121 c792
36. Mr. SUGDEN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping if he will give details of the amount of tonnage on coast trade round Great Britain during the periods October, 1917, and October, 1918, and also between October, 1918, and October, 1919; and what action he is taking to encourage this modo of transport and thus relieve railway congestion?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of SHIPPING (Colonel Wilson)

The only available statistics relating to coasting traffic are those contained in the monthly trade and navigation accounts, which give the total arrivals and departures coastwise with cargo, including trade between Great Britain and Ireland. For the period October, 1917, to 1918, the total arrivals were 16,684,452 net tons, and for the period October, 1918, to 1919, 19,248,180 net tons. The details of the scheme approved by the Government for the relief of the railways were published by the Board of Trade on 20th August, and I have sent my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the notice.

Mr. SUGDEN

Will the Shipping Controller, if ho finds the suggestion is not possible to relieve that, congestion, put the pressure he possesses on those merchants who may send traffic not of an expeditious nature to send it by sea?

Colonel WILSON

My right hon. Friend will take every action which lies in his power to relieve the congestion which already exists. He fully realises the seriousness of the present situation.

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