§ Mr. C. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to improve the transport services of this country; whether he intends to adapt munition works to railway wagon building and repairing; whether any national works are now engaged in this class of work; and, if so, how do the prices compare with those now asked by private contractors, and what are the prices for new work under both systems?
§ Mr. NEALWith reference to the first and last parts of the question I must refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on Wednesday last. As he then stated, the policy in regard to Government building of wagons must depend largely on the willingness of private builders to quote reasonable prices for early delivery. At present, Woolwich is the only national establishment which is building railway wagons. Railway-owned wagons are being repaired at Woolwich, Lancaster, and Queensferry. The question of employing demobilised soldiers on264W wagon erection and repair in an adapted munition factory is engaging the attention of my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Labour, Munitions, and Transport at the present time.