§ Mr. HARCOURT JOHNSTONEasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the railway shopmen have been put recently on short time; and whether he proposes to take any steps so that the schemes in existence for the extension of the railways may be accelerated?
§ Miss BONDFIELDWe have received no information to confirm the statement made in the question. As regards railway extensions, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in the House on 22nd May. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, is discussing with the railway companies the possibility of extending their programmes of work for the current year.