§ 39. Captain Stricklandasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why two six-ton road vehicles were despatched by his Department empty from London to Birmingham on 27th February, involving double-time pay for that Sunday, to be loaded on Monday, 28th February, at West Bromwich with empty cordial bottles for London.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI have had some difficulty in tracing the particular consignments to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers in his Question. I regret that my inquiries are not yet complete but I will write to him as soon as they are, unless he proposes to put down another Question for next week.
§ Captain StricklandWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the grave discomfort caused to drivers of road transport by being despatched on Sundays to places like Birmingham, where there is very little accommodation, and will he avoid as far as possible this double time payment for Sundays?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am aware of the discomfort, which many transport workers suffer as a result of war conditions, but we must use transport as best we can for the national advantage.
Mr. J. DuģdaleIs my hon. Friend aware that my constituents in West Bromwich would be glad to see these lorries return with full cordial bottles?