HC Deb 21 October 1946 vol 427 cc1286-7
4. Mr. Osborne

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that wagon No. 169691, containing 30 quarters of barley, was despatched from Louth station to Hadnall and has been lost; that a consignment of seed corn from Louth to Driffield, sent on 20th September, has not yet arrived at its destination; and what steps he is taking to expedite delivery of seed corn need for winter sowing.

Mr. Barnes

Both the labels on wagon No. 169691 became detached in the course of transit, which is most unusual. As soon as the consignee had been identified the wagon was worked through to Hadnall. The consignment of seed corn for Driffield was sent to Beverley, which is the normal delivery point for Leconfield, to which address the seed was consigned. It reached Driffield on 5th October. Every effort is being made to move seed corn in time for the winter sowing.

Mr. Osborne

Is the Minister aware that this wagon, which was lost for 66 days and which the railway officials stated they could not find, was found in London within 24 hours of my putting down this Question? Cannot something be done about this matter?

Mr. Barnes

That seems to demonstrate the value of Parliamentary Questions.

Major Cecil Poole

Would it not have been better if the hon. Member had put down his Question 66 days earlier?

24. Commander Maitland

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that an application to move seed wheat through the L.N.E.R. system has to be made to the regional officer of the Ministry of Food, that from there the application is passed to the Ministry of Food in London and from there to the Ministry of Transport; that this method is the cause of serious delays; and whether he will eliminate these inter-Departmental delays, and arrange that the movement of seed wheat is speeded up.

Mr. Barnes

Where, owing to congestion, the railways find it necessary to impose restrictions on the acceptance of traffic, special urgent consignments may be carried through the restricted section on the instructions of my Department. An undue use of this authority would, however, tend to defeat the object of clearing the congestion and it is, therefore, necessary to select carefully the consignments to be accepted. This is done with the aid of the Departments concerned, and I do not think that the procedure involves delay as it is, in practice, carried through largely by telephone.

Commander Maitland

Will the Minister bear in mind the urgent need for getting seed wheat to the East coast as quickly as possible, as there is great delay at the present time?

Mr. Barnes

Yes, Sir, that is fully appreciated.

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