§ Mr. JOHN JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that nearly 150 now railway vans have been standing in a siding adjacent to a Government factory at Morecambe ever since December, 1918; and whether, in view of the reputed shortage of railway wagons, he will have inquiry made in this matter?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI am informed by the Ministry of Munitions that between fifty and sixty converted goods wagons, built originally for use in France, are awaiting disposal at Morecambe. It is proposed that these wagons should be included in the pooling of railway rolling stock which is being formed for the use of British railway companies. Details are now being settled with the Railway Executive Com-
Occupation. London. Yokohama. December. 1914 December, 1918. 1914–15 1918 d. d. s. d. s. d. d. d. d. d. Pattermakers … 10¾ 1 7¼ 3–4 3¾–5¾ Moulders … 9½–10 1 6–1 6½ 3–3¾ 4–5¾ Fitters … 9¾ 1 6 2½–4 3¾–5¾ Boiler Platers … 10½ 1 7 Boiler Rivetters … 9 1 5¼ 3–4 3¾–5½ Boiler Holders-up … 7¾ 1 1¾ (Boilermakers) (Boilermakers) Blacksmith … 9¾ 1 6 3–5 4–6¼ Labourers (unskilled) … 6 1 2 2–2½ 2½–3 For the cotton trade, and for other piece- working industries, comparable statistics cannot be given, but I will neglect no opportunity of publishing in the "Labour Gazette" any trustworthy information which may be procurable with regard to labour conditions in competing countries, in order to facilitate comparisons. 1 may point out that such comparisons leave out of account the differences in the relative efficiency of labour in the countries compared.
1402Wmittee for the distribution of the locomotives and wagons available between the different companies.