§ Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of War Transport why the use of certain railway wagons known as all-open wagons has been forbidden for the carriage of beer from certain breweries in the Midlands to distributors in Peterborough and district; and whether, in view of the approach of Christmas, he will remove this veto so as to ensure proper distribution of beer in the area served by Peterborough.
§ Mr. BarnesTo ensure so far as possible that there is no loss of coal production through a shortage of wagons at the collieries or open cast sites, the railway companies have been instructed that, with certain exceptions, mineral wagons are to be used only for coal class traffic and heavy merchandise in classes 1 to 6. The provision of a limited number of mineral wagons is, however, being allowed to supplement supplies of merchandise wagons for certain breweries in the Midlands where difficulties have arisen.