31. Captain COOTEasked the Minister of Transport, whether any system for the more speedy notification to farmers of the arrival of empty trucks has yet been devised; and, if so, what steps are being taken to put it into execution?
§ Mr. NEALI understand that advices are given verbally, by post, or by telegram, according to the circumstances in each case, and very few complaints are being received. The question of installing telephones at the stations is being looked into, having regard to the cost and their probable utility in each case.
§ 32. Commander Viscount CURZONasked the Minister of Transport how many railway trucks were completed during December and January; how many were returned from France during the same period; and how many are under construction at the present time?
§ Mr. NEALThe information asked for in the first part of the question is not yet available, but I am obtaining it and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible. The number of railway-owned wagons returned from France in December and January was 2,279. The number of wagons for the building of which arrangements have been made by the Railway Companies is about 32,000, of which 15,000 are orders placed with outside firms.