§ Mr. NEEDHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware 53W that numbers of canal boats are laid up owing to insufficiency of crews, and, in view of the congestion on the railways, will he endeavour to arrange with the War Office to release boatmen temporarily from the Colours if they are willing to return to their former employment?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that there must naturally be some shortage of canal boatmen in consequence of enlistment, and if my Hon. Friend will furnish me with some particulars of the extent to which canal boats are in consequence being held up, I will consider whether I can usefully make any representations.