HC Deb 18 November 1919 vol 121 c797
63. Mr. LYLE

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, not withstanding the present great shortage of railway wagons, the Great Northern Railway Company are insisting on ton-lots and upwards for one destination being loaded into through wagons instead of allowing wagons to be loaded to their full capacity and when necessary dealt with at London sorting stations; and is he aware that the effect of this is that in many cases wagons are, travelling up and down the country only half filled?

Sir R. WILLIAMS

I am aware that the Great Northern Railway Company are in some instances sending wagons through to destination stations with less than a maximum load. This is being done to avoid the alternative of sending the consignments to King's Cross for transhipment, which would have the effect of increasing congestion at that station. The existing arrangement results in better traffic working, and on balance is in the public interest.

Sir F. HALL

Are we to understand that the less the wagons carry the less the congestion will be?

Sir R. WILLIAMS

No, Sir; that is not the case.