§ 35. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Lord Privy Seal if he can now make any further statement with regard to the use in this country of steel railway sleepers?
Mr. TH0MASAs I stated recently in reply to a previous question on this subject, considerable orders for steel sleepers have been placed, and I am asking the railway companies to furnish me with a report on the position.
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman ask them to state what percentage of the whole are steel sleepers?
Mr. THOMASCertainly; but the importance of this matter from the stand-point of the country, as distinct from any party, is that, in the main, wood sleepers are imported, while steel sleepers are made here, and I am concerned with getting them made here.