§ 21. Mr. Simmondsasked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the approximate percentage of goods accepted for carriage by the British railways which is lost?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonThe information for which my hon. Friend asks is not available. To obtain it would involve a great deal of labour and expense which would not be justified in present circumstances.
§ Mr. SimmondsIs my right hon. and gallant Frined aware that this percentage is serious and appears to be increasing and that it is becoming serious among the war industries? Would he not therefore look further into the matter, particularly to see whether too many key men have been called up for military service from the railways, with the result that the railways are not doing a job of work proportional to the responsibility that falls upon them?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonI do not think I can accept as a fact that there is a serious effect upon war industries.
§ Mr. SimmondsWould not my right hon. and gallant Friend make inquiries from the industrial associations, when he may find that there are serious hold-ups in war industries, representing substantial losses?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonI will make those inquiries.