§ 62. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what complaints he has received of coal production being delayed by shortage of railway wagons; and what percentage of the total pool of railway wagons are held up in repair yards for elaborate repairs?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI have been kept fully informed of the losses of coal production which have, unfortunately, occurred through shortage of railway wagons, chiefly in the North East and North Midland Regions. Up to the week ended 20th November some 66,000 tons had been lost from this cause and wagon shortages have also been experienced at opencast workings. I am in the closest touch with my Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport on this matter. As regards the second part of the Question, I am informed that, according to the latest available figures, 5.37 per cent. of the total pool of railway-owned and privately-owned requisitioned wagons were under and awaiting repairs at the end of last 203 month. The types of repairs required vary so much that it is not practicable to give separate figures for elaborate repairs.
§ Mr. WalkdenWhile thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for that very informative reply, could I ask him to give great consideration to allegations which have been made by the managing director of a big coal combine in South Lancashire concerning the shortage of wagons and the causes, and also expert advice which has been sent to his Parliamentary Secretary on this very important issue? Will he go into the whole subject along with the Minister of War Transport?