§ Mr. E. BROWNasked the Minister of Transport whether the Joint Departmental Committee on Mineral Transport has yet issued its Report or made any recommendations; and whether any results in the improvement of the transport of coal have resulted from the deliberations of this committee?
§ Colonel ASHLEYSir Arthur Duck-ham, the Chairman of the Committee, who is at present in Australia as leader of the Government Trade Mission, informed me that the committee was not at present in a position to make any definite recommendations as it had found it necessary to make detailed investigations into the existing facilities, the present user of wagons and other matters affecting its reference. I understand that while considerable progress has been made with these inquiries they are not yet complete, but that it is hoped that the committee will be able to prepare a report containing its recommendations and suggestions during the earlier part of next year.