§ 33. Sir M. WOOD (for Mr. CURRY)asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the progress made to date in putting into force the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Mineral Transport contained in their report of October, 1929, with regard to the pooling of wagons, the size of wagons, and the adaptation of terminals?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)As the reply is somewhat long, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, arrangements for giving effect to the recommendation of the Standing Committee that Government financial assistance should be given for the conversion of colliery and other sidings so as to enable them to accommodate 20-ton wagons were brought into force in 1930 under the provisions of the Development Act. Owing to the state of industry, few undertakings were able to take advantage of these arrangements. There has, however, partly as a result of assistance given under the Act, been a considerable increase in these facilities at the ports. The committee have been asked to proceed on the lines suggested in their report with the further consideration of such questions as the standardisation and pooling of mineral wagons. The committee have recently brought to my notice a recommendation that it would be desirable that for the time being further mineral wagons of a capacity below 20 tons should not be constructed without special permission. This recommendation is under consideration, in consultation with the railway companies.