§ 69. Sir F. FLANNERYasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that farmers in the area of Southminster, Essex, are experiencing difficulty in getting their hay loaded on rail, and that hundreds of tons are already tied out but that the railway company will not accept anything other than perishable goods; whether he is aware that Southminster is an important station and serves a very big district, and that these restrictions are having a very serious result; and whether he will take steps to assist the farmers and their customers in this dilemma?
§ Mr. NEALDuring the past week 60 wagons have been provided at Southminster for the purpose of loading hay. There is no foundation for the statement that nothing but perishables can be loaded, although the latter are given preference. The railway company are 1253 doing all possible to supply wagons for this traffic, which formerly went by water for the most part.