§ 44. Mr. Chorltonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his efforts to increase the traffic on canals by the introduction of power-driven barges have been successful; and will he give the number of these craft now employed.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe number of power-driven craft available for use on inland waterways has increased during the past year from 947 to 970. The improved capacity given by this additional power has been off-set during recent months by a reduction in the volume of traffic available for conveyance on inland waterways. The total traffic carried during the last twelve months has exceeded 11,000,000 tons, which is very little less than the total for the preceding year.