§ 4. Brigadier Mackesonasked the Minister of Transport what embargoes affecting East Kent have recently been placed on railborne goods; and what steps are being taken to ensure that no further embargoes are imposed.
§ Mr. BarnesThe position, of course, varies from day to day, but this morning the main restrictions on acceptance of traffic, other than coal and perishable traffic consigned to stations in East Kent, in force are from stations north of a line roughly from the Mersey to the Wash and from all companies' stations via L.M.S. London junctions. As I have already stated the present difficulties are due in the main to shortage of locomotives and all practicable steps are being taken to relieve the situation and to ensure the most effective use of the engines avail able.
§ Sir W. SmithersWhy did the Government export 720 railway engines in the first nine months of this year?
§ Mr. BarnesThat question should be put to my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade, or to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.
§ Sir W. SmithersIt was,, but he did not answer.