§ Captain Sir B. STANIERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that at the Clee Hill quarries, near Ludlow, the association is unable to get enough railway wagons to send out stones for repairs to roads for the county and other councils which are urgently wanted, and that the men working in the quarries have to stop work in consequence of there being no wagons to take the stone away; and if he can do anything to improve this state of affairs?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI understand that it is the case that some quarries do not own enough wagons to enable them to deal with their traffic. My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that there is a serious shortage of railway wagons in this country and that railway companies are not under an obligation to provide wagons for the conveyance of stone for the repair of roads, but I am calling the attention of the companies concerned to the matter.
Colonel LAMBERT WARDasked the President of the Board of Trade if arrangements can be made for the Railway Executive to send a better service of railway wagons to Hull, as the present shortage is injuring the trade of that port?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThere are at present 'difficulties throughout the country in meeting all the demands for railway wagons. My attention has been called to the special difficulties at Hull in the last few days, I am communicating with the North-Eastern Railway Company in the matter.