§ 35. Mr. J. Silvermanasked the Minister of Transport what information he has as to how many British Road Service vehicles and how many privately-owned 1821 vehicles were used in assistance given in connection with the East Coast flood disaster after 12th February and after 17th February, respectively; and how many sandbags were transported by British Road Service vehicles for the purpose of reinforcing the sea defences in this area.
Mr. BraithwaiteI am informed by the British Transport Commission that about 400 British Road Services vehicles were in use at 12th February and about 650 at 17th February, and that 9 million sandbags were carried by them. I have no information as to how many privately owned vehicles were used, but the number was certainly large.
§ Mr. SilvermanDoes not the Minister agree that the services of the British Road Services were indispensable on this occasion, and will he not pay tribute to the organisation and to the staff concerned for the very great work they have done in this connection?