§ Mr. STEVENSasked the President of the Board of Trade what requirements of empty railway wagon stock remained unsatisfied according to last week's return, 1331W the unsatisfied requirements to be expressed in thousands of wagons; what, number of railway wagons, including private owners' and companies' stock, have been empty during the past fortnight; and why empty coal wagons ordinarily serving collieries which are not now working have not been requisitioned for general purposes subject to their becoming available to meet their own colliery requirements so soon as coal can be forwarded?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Board of Trade do not receive returns such as those contemplated in the first two parts of the question. The preparation of such returns, if possible, would involve an excessive amount of labour. As regards the last part of the question, steps have been taken to utilise many coal wagons which were not in use to convey coal in other districts.