§ 92. Sir WILLIAM SEAGERasked the Minister of Transport whether there are any British-owned railway wagons still in use in France and Belgium; and, if so, will he consider the expeditious return of these wagons, in view of the shortage on our own railways?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSON (Parliamentary Secretary, War Office)I have been asked to reply. There are now less than 6,000 British railway wagons still in France and Belgium, of types suitable for use in this country. A considerable number of these are in a damaged condition and arrangements are in hand for their return to this country for repair. The balance are still in use and are being returned as rapidly as circumstances permit. They have been coming over at the rate of about 400 a week.
§ Sir W. SEAGERWill the hon. Gentleman expedite the return of these wagons as the miners say they could give us more coal if they had more wagons?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONOnly to-day I gave instructions to do everything possible to expedite the return of the wagons, but many of them are in a damaged state and cannot run on their own wheels to the steamer. Others are dispersed all over France.