§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that the defects in the carriage of perishable commodities by train, notably fish, from Aberdeen to London, which on 3rd July last were being rectified by fitting 200 fish vans with roller bearings, have still not been rectified, and that for the 10 months ended 31st October, 1957, the number of fish vans which have had to be removed in transit is greater than in the corresponding period 124W of 1956; and what steps he is taking to remedy the loss thus caused to the industry and consumers by fitting the fish vans with roller bearings and otherwise to ensure the regular and prompt delivery of fish from Aberdeen to London.
§ Mr. NugentI understand from the British Transport Commission that it now has a good supply of the new wheel sets and by the end of this month will be converting the fish vans to which I referred in my Answer of 3rd July at the rate of 30 a week. The converted vans will go back into service immediately they have been dealt with and delays arising from hot axle boxes should be progressively eliminated.