HC Deb 08 March 1927 vol 203 cc1031-2
36 and 37. Mr. CLARRY

asked the Minister of Transport (1), if he is aware of the continuous delays, congestion and inadequate railway service now obtaining in the Eastern Counties served by the Great Eastern section of the London and North-Eastern Railway Company; that, in consequence, many gas undertakings are unable to get regular and adequate supplies of coal, thereby jeopardising the local gas supply; and what steps he proposes to take to assist these public utility undertakings;

(2), if he is aware that several large collieries which supply coal to the Eastern Counties are only working part time owing to the continuous delays in the London and North Eastern Railway Company's handling of their traffic; and whether he is prepared to institute a public Inquiry into the matter?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)

I am aware of the difficulties that have arisen in connection with the conveyance of coal on the Great Eastern section of the London and North Eastern Railway, and I am in communication with the railway company on the subject. So, far as the difficulties in connection with the supply to gas undertakings are concerned, I am informed by the company that these have now been practically surmounted.

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman has been receiving representations on this matter for at least six weeks, and some of us are still waiting for any satisfactory reply?

Colonel ASHLEY

I think that that is not quite a fair way of putting it. Conditions are still unsatisfactory, I admit, but they are improving.

Mr. ALEXANDER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have had notification of hundreds of wagons being sent away from the collieries five and six weeks ago, which have not yet been delivered, so that we are being asked to pay for coal which we have never seen?

Colonel ASHLEY

The fact is, that a certain number of wagons got at the bottom of the siding, and wagons which were despatched long after these are being delivered before them. It is not until the trouble of the importation of foreign coal has been finally surmounted that we shall get things right.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Has not the experience of the last six weeks confirmed the right hon. Gentleman in the conviction that the only solution of this problem is the pooling of coal wagons?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is rather argumentative.

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